• Dr. (Col.) Dhani Ram Shandil, Minister for Health and Family Welfare, and Shri Anirudh Singh, Minister for Rural Development and Panchayati were also present at the event
  • The Atal Institute of Medical Super Specialities (AIMSS) will serve as the centre for robotic-assisted surgery, featuring advanced da Vinci technology

Shimla : Hon’ble Chief Minister Shri Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu inaugurated Himachal Pradesh’s first robotic-assisted surgery facility at the department of urology, Atal Institute of Medical Super Specialities, at Chamiana in Shimla. The launch of this facility marks a significant step forward in strengthening the state’s surgical healthcare capabilities and expanding access to advanced healthcare technologies.

The event was graced by Hon’ble Health Minister Dr. (Col.) Dhani Ram Shandil and Hon’ble Minister for Rural Development Shri Anirudh Singh, alongside senior officials from Health and Medical Education departments.

Speaking at the inauguration of the centre, Chief Minister Shri Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu said, “The launch of this robotic-assisted surgery facility is part of our broader vision to bring advanced surgical technologies to Himachal Pradesh. Robotic-assisted surgery, once limited to metro cities, is now becoming accessible to people in our state through government institutions. With the adoption of robotic-assisted systems, we are enabling our doctors to perform procedures across a range of specialities, with greater precision and safety. This initiative reflects our commitment to ensuring that residents of Himachal receive the same standard of specialised care as those in major urban centres.”

The facility features the da Vinci Surgical System, a cutting-edge platform for minimally invasive procedures that enhances surgical precision, safety, and recovery. With this, AIMSS emerges as a pioneering hub for advanced surgical care in the region.

Rohitt Mahajan, Vice President and General Manager, Intuitive India, said, “This initiative by the Himachal Pradesh government to bring robotic-assisted surgery into the public healthcare system is a significant step towards modernizing healthcare facilities across the state and ensuring equitable access to advanced surgical care. As India’s surgical landscape evolves, evidence-based technologies like the da Vinci play a crucial role to enhance precision and improve patient outcomes in a range of procedures, both in oncology and benign. This progress reflects the collaborative effort of government institutions and healthcare professionals to expand the reach of minimally invasive care not only in metros but across Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities as well. We remain committed to supporting this transformation, which is vital to strengthening the broader healthcare ecosystem in the region.”

“The Atal Institute of Medical Super Specialities will serve as a central hub for robotic-assisted surgery, equipped with state-of-the-art infrastructure aligned with national medical standards. In addition to providing advanced surgical care, the robotic-assisted surgical facility will also become a centre for training and research, fostering clinical expertise and innovation within the public healthcare system,” said CM Shri Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu.

During the inauguration, Health Minister Dr. (Col.) Dhani Ram Shandil highlighted that the facility will contribute to build a skilled surgical workforce and elevate the standard of care in the region. The state government is currently reviewing an implementation plan, under cabinet consideration, to expand robotic-assisted surgery services across other government medical institutions.

This initiative is part of a broader plan by the state to strengthen surgical capabilities across government institutions through the phased installation of robotic surgical systems. In its initial phase, the project will cover key medical colleges, including the Atal Institute of Medical Super Speciality in Chamiyana, Dr. Rajendra Prasad Government Medical College in Tanda, Hamirpur Medical College, and Indira Gandhi Medical College (IGMC) in Shimla.