Team Siliconindia

• AIIMS Delhi installs da Vinci Surgical Robot at its Skills, e-Learning and Telemedicine (SET) centre for robotic surgery training
• First government medical college in India to host Intuitive Surgical’s da Vinci system for hands-on education
• Doctors, residents, and nurses to gain advanced training in urology, gynaecology, oncology, general, and head & neck surgeries

The All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Delhi, has moved a long way in promoting surgical education by installing a da Vinci Surgical Robot at its Skills, e-Learning and Telemedicine (SET) center. This is the first time Intuitive Surgical's da Vinci system has been installed for training in a government medical college in India, allowing doctors, residents, and nurses to receive hands-on experience with robotic-assisted surgery without having to travel overseas for costly training programs.

The installation of the da Vinci system makes AIIMS the sole centre in the country with two robotic platforms solely for training. The SET facility is already heavily utilized by medical students, residents, nurses, and faculty staff to practice using simulators and mannequins, and this new installation adds a valuable aspect to its training functions.

Robotic units such as the da Vinci have typically been very expensive, with the earlier models costing between ₹8 crore and ₹20 crore, excluding yearly service fees. By introducing such cutting-edge machinery into its training centre, AIIMS is solidifying its status as the driving force behind surgical innovation and education in India.

AIIMS Director Dr. M Srinivas emphasized the significance of this development, noting that earlier, surgeons went abroad and spent a significant amount of money to get robotic surgery training. With the facility being available in Delhi, doctors can now get the same amount of training within the country.

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He further stated that demand for technology-led procedures like robot-assisted surgery is increasing steadily in India and the centre will enable surgeons to be trained in superior robotic procedures. In his view, this will ultimately improve surgical accuracy, lower recovery times, and raise patient care across the country.

The da Vinci system will be utilized to provide training to medical professionals in various fields, from urology and gynaecology to oncology, general surgery, and head and neck surgery. The cross-disciplinary training would help assure that residents and young physicians receive early and exposure to robotic-assisted procedures in an extensive manner.

Dr. Amlesh Seth, a professor and head of AIIMS's Department of Urology, added that robotic surgery had transformed the way a number of procedures are carried out by enhancing precision, control, and visibility. He underscored that the new training facility would enable senior surgeons at AIIMS to train and guide the future robotic surgeons, while residents would get preliminary exposure to high-level minimally invasive procedures, allowing them to feel confident before starting independent practice.

With the da Vinci Surgical Robot installation, AIIMS Delhi has not only augmented its position as a leader in surgical education but has also opened new avenues for medical education and patient care in India. The initiative is likely to have a groundbreaking influence on the future of robotic surgery in India.