A Robotic surgery programme in the Super-specialty Block of the Safdarjung Hospital (SJH) and Vardhman Mahaveer Medical College (VMMC) was dedicated to the nation. The Super-specialty Block is the first Central government health facility in India to start this programme to serve poor patients free of cost.
Already 25 surgeries have been carried out on poor patients suffering from prostate, kidney and bladder cancer. Even advanced reconstructive surgeries have been conducted by Dr Anup Kumar, Head of the Department (HoD), Urology and Renal Transplant Department of the SJH and VMMC.
The robotics programme was started under the leadership of Medical Superintendent (SJH), Dr Sunil Gupta, and supervision of Dr Anup Kumar, professor and HOD, Urology and Renal Transplant, who has done basic robotic training at all India Medical Sciences (AIIMS).
Dr Sunil Gupta said, that the technology would be used to treat all complicated diseases like advanced urological cancers needing surgery, advanced reconstructive procedures and renal transplant free of cost, for poor population of India. This will be the first Centre government facility to start robotic kidney transplant in India.
He Pointed out that the procedures are done at a cost of 5-6 Lac in private hospitals, “Here, it will be done free of cost for the poor patients.”
As regards the procedure, Dr Gupta said, “We can provide advantages of minimally invasive surgery reducing morbidity and mortality of critically ill cancer and kidney failure patients significantly.”
Patients suffering from urology cancers like prostate, kidney, urinary bladder, including renal transplant, will benefit most if their surgery is done with robotic system. The robot will also be used for CTVS and gynecological surgeries.
The patients will get all the benefits of minimally invasive surgery with no need for big skin incisions, lesser pain, blood loss, blood transfusion, early recovery and better functional/oncological outcomes. The centre was inaugurated by Minister of Health and Family Welfare Dr. Harshvardhan.
