Himachal Pradesh entered a new era in healthcare with the launch of robotic surgery at the Atal Institute of Medical Super Specialties (AIMSS), Chamiyana, Shimla.
Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu inaugurated the state’s first robotic surgery facility and witnessed its maiden operation. With this, the AIMSS Chamiyana has become the first government health institution in Himachal Pradesh to perform high-end robotic surgery.
A resident of Khalini, Shimla, suffering from a prostate-related ailment, became the first patient to undergo this advanced procedure. The surgery was performed successfully by a team comprising Dr Anant Kumar, Dr Pamposh Raina, and Dr Pawan Kaundal.
According to the medical team, the operation took nearly three hours, whereas a traditional procedure would have required at least five hours.
Significantly, there was no blood loss during the surgery, compared to the four units of blood typically needed in conventional operations. The patient is expected to be discharged within three to four days, as opposed to the usual eight to ten days required for recovery after a traditional surgery.
The chief minister congratulated the doctors and medical staff for this achievement and commended their skill and dedication in successfully conducting the state’s first robotic surgery.
The patient’s attendant expressed gratitude to the Chief Minister and the state government for making this world-class technology available in a government medical institution.
He said that with the introduction of robotic surgery in Himachal Pradesh, patients will no longer have to travel outside the state for such high-end medical procedures.
Dr Kailash Bharwal, consultant in the Urology Department, described the event as the beginning of a new era in the state’s healthcare sector. He explained that robotic surgery allows doctors to operate with exceptional precision and accuracy, with minimal blood loss during the procedure.
Patients are able to resume their normal routines much sooner due to faster recovery times.
Robotic surgery utilises highly advanced robotic arms that eliminate natural hand tremors, enabling surgeons to perform extremely fine and steady movements.
This technology enhances accuracy, particularly when operating near delicate structures such as nerves and blood vessels. Additionally, most robotic procedures require smaller incisions compared to traditional surgeries, which typically results in less scarring, reduced pain, shorter hospital stays, and improved overall outcomes.
The successful introduction of robotic surgery at AIMSS Chamiyana marks a major step towards providing cutting-edge healthcare within Himachal Pradesh’s public health system.
It reflects the state government’s commitment to modernising medical facilities and making advanced treatment accessible to all, regardless of economic background.
With this development, AIMSS Chamiyana has positioned itself among the leading medical institutions in the country offering robotic surgery, and the facility is expected to perform many more such operations in the coming months.