logo
India Ushers in a New Era of Surgical Innovation with World's First Long-Distance Robotic Bariatric Telesurgery

India Ushers in a New Era of Surgical Innovation with World's First Long-Distance Robotic Bariatric Telesurgery

The Wire17-07-2025
Renowned surgeon Dr. Mohit Bhandari performs groundbreaking remote procedure across 850 km between Gurugram and Indore Gurugram, Haryana, India -- Dr. Mohit Bhandari, President of IRCAD India and a pioneer among bariatric and robotic surgeons successfully completed the world's first long-distance robotic bariatric telesurgery, a milestone that redefines the future of global surgical care and access.
Operating from a robotic console in Gurugram, Dr. Bhandari conducted a complex gastric bypass on a patient located more than 850 kilometers away in Indore—executed with zero perceptible lag and full surgical precision. The procedure was performed using the SSI Mantra M3 system, a next-generation, India-developed robotic surgery platform. This landmark achievement not only highlights India's rapidly advancing capabilities in medical robotics and digital health but also establishes new global standards for remote surgical care in high-complexity domains.
This landmark operation marks the first documented case of long-distance robotic bariatric telesurgery between two major Indian cities, setting a new precedent for remote surgery in high-complexity fields. It highlights India's fast-growing leadership in medical robotics, innovation, and digital health.
Dr. Bhandari, who has performed over 30,000 bariatric and metabolic procedures, Asia-Pacific's one of the most well-known bariatric surgeonsin this speciality. He introduced robotic bariatric surgery to India and was the first Indian surgeon to perform a single-anastomosis duodenal-ileal switch. Most recently, he was honored with the International Surgeon Award at the ASMBS Global Congress in Washington D.C. (June 2025)—further reinforcing his reputation as a trailblazer in surgical innovation.
Commenting on the same Dr. Mohit Bhandari said: "This success is a testament to the transformative potential of robotic telesurgery in revolutionizing surgical access, enabling expert surgeons to operate across geographies in real time, and seamlessly bridging urban and regional care centers. It's a powerful example of how we can democratize access to surgical expertise, not just across India, but globally." This milestone is more than a technical triumph—it signals a fundamental shift in how advanced surgical care can be delivered: • Bridging the urban-rural divide by enabling expert surgeons to operate across geographies • Improving patient outcomes by reducing time-to-treatment in remote areas • Scaling surgical expertise through technology-driven models of care • Creating global benchmarks in safe and precise telesurgery To View the Image, Click on the Link Below: Dr. Bhandari conducting the robotic bariatric telesurgery (Disclaimer: The above press release comes to you under an arrangement with Business Wire India and PTI takes no editorial responsibility for the same.).
This is an auto-published feed from PTI with no editorial input from The Wire.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

India-UK FTA to boost bilateral trade for pharma, medtech, say industry bodies
India-UK FTA to boost bilateral trade for pharma, medtech, say industry bodies

Mint

timean hour ago

  • Mint

India-UK FTA to boost bilateral trade for pharma, medtech, say industry bodies

The India-UK free trade agreement, signed on Thursday, is expected to open up new opportunities for Indian pharmaceutical and medical device makers. The deal is also expected to improve access to medical devices from the UK in India. Medical device manufacturers anticipate an increase in trade between the two countries but are awaiting clarity on non-tariff measures and on whether regulatory processes will be streamlined. 'Previously, medical devices imported into the UK were duty-free, so tariff restrictions were not an issue but regulatory approval costs and time were a challenge,' said Rajiv Nath, forum coordinator of industry body Association of Indian Medical Device Industry (Aimed). The body had previously sought recognition of regulatory approvals from the CDSCO or the Quality Council of India's voluntary Indian Certification for medical devices to fast-track approvals by the UK's Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA). 'We look forward to an update on this,' said Nath. However, medtech manufacturers are also seeking strict monitoring of imports to India, to prevent other countries rerouting products into India through the UK. Mint had previously reported that domestic manufacturers raised concerns over the possibility of Chinese-origin products being routed through the UK to exploit the zero-tariff provisions under the FTA. India levies about 7.5% import duties on medical devices from the UK, which are expected to come down in a phased manner after the deal, Nath said. In 2024, medical device exports to the UK increased by 13% year-on-year to ₹ 1,015 crore, while imports from the UK rose 36% to ₹ 2,295 crore, according to Exim data. 'It not only strengthens trade ties but also opens new avenues for advanced technology collaborations between Indian and UK companies,' Himanshu Baid, managing director of Poly Medicure Ltd, said in a statement. 'With India exporting medical devices worth approximately $115 million to the UK, one of our top 10 export destinations, this agreement is poised to further boost our presence,' he added. The trade deal is also expected to open up the market for India's generic drugmakers. 'As per the indications, the pharma sector will have opportunities to supply affordable and quality assured medicine contributing to better patient care in the UK,' said Sudarshan Jain, secretary general of the Indian Pharmaceutical Alliance (IPA). 'We are awaiting further details to identify specific areas where these opportunities can be effectively leveraged,' he added. Generic players like Lupin, Biocon, Dr. Reddy's Laboratories and Wockhardt, which have exposure to the UK market, could stand to benefit.

India-UK FTA prescribes a booster dose for Indian pharma and medtech exports
India-UK FTA prescribes a booster dose for Indian pharma and medtech exports

Economic Times

timean hour ago

  • Economic Times

India-UK FTA prescribes a booster dose for Indian pharma and medtech exports

Representational The India-UK free trade agreement (FTA) is expected to give a strong tailwind to India's pharmaceutical and medical devices sectors with tariff relief and smoother regulatory pathways acting as critical drivers, industry experts told ET. The agreement will boost exports giving an easier access to the UK market. It is expected to help Indian companies – especially those in generics and biosimilars - to scale their market presence, fast track product approvals, provide a push to cross-border R&D and innovation. The UK has committed to zero tariff on nearly 99% of Indian pharma exports. While Indian pharma exports to the UK were largely duty free even earlier, the latest agreement formalises the status which brings in long-term clarity to to industry estimates, the pharma market size of the UK stands at about $45 billion and is expected to shoot to $73 billion by 2033. The share of the Indian drugs can see a significant push from the UK's generics segment which is currently pegged at $5 billion. India's pharmaceutical exports to the UK crossed $910 million in FY24, according to estimates. "The agreement strengthens supply chains, enhances access to affordable medicines, and drives Foreign Direct Investment (FDI),' said Namit Joshi, Chairman of Pharmexcil. 'This partnership paves the way for collaborations in bulk drug imports, CDMO (contract manufacturing), and joint research, empowering India's competitive edge and promoting global partnerships.'The pact will open up trade and economic opportunities between the two countries. 'The pharma sector will have opportunities to supply quality medicines contributing to better patient care in the UK,' said Sudarshan Jain, Secretary General, Indian Pharmaceutical Alliance. 'The tariffs relief on generic medicines and key medical devices like surgical instruments and diagnostics under the FTA will enhance the affordability and appeal of Indian products in the UK market,' said Manoj Mishra, Partner and Tax Controversy Management Leader, Grant Thornton Bharat. The move significantly boosts the competitiveness of Indian generics and high-quality affordable healthcare solutions, positioning India to scale its footprint in one of Europe's most valuable healthcare markets, said Mishra. For the medical devices sector too the move is expected to open new opportunities, said experts. 'Previously, medical devices imported into the UK were duty-free, so tariff restrictions were not an issue but regulatory approval costs and time (delays) were a challenge,' said Rajiv Nath, forum coordinator, Association of Indian Medical Device Manufacturers (AiMeD), an umbrella organisation representing manufacturers of various medical devices in medical devices exports to the UK stood at Rs 1,015 crore in fiscal 2024, up 13% from a year ago. Imports of medical devices to India was at Rs 2,295 crore, up 36% from the previous are of the view that the FTA seeks to keep a balance between India's current IP regime with public health and the UK's preference of protecting various IP rights. Sandeep Rathod, Sr. VP (legal and compliance), Piramal Pharma, said: 'In context of geographical Indications, both sides will be bringing together a list of products that will be protected with equity and transparency as key principles.' 'Within patents, India's important safeguards such as S.3(d) and oppositions have not been tampered with. This should help India's status as the world's generic manufacturer and also protect access to medicines for domestic patients.' 'UK is an important market. The real value is the potential positive impact on our other trade deals coming up such as with the EU and US,' said Sujay Shetty, global health advisory leader at consulting firm PwC.

Ayush ministry reaffirms commitment to promote evidence-based practices
Ayush ministry reaffirms commitment to promote evidence-based practices

News18

time2 hours ago

  • News18

Ayush ministry reaffirms commitment to promote evidence-based practices

New Delhi, Jul 24 (PTI)The National Expert Committee constituted by the Ayush ministry undertook a rigorous review of scientific, pharmacological and traditional data to refine safety documentation for four selected herbs. This initiative is aligned with the ministry's larger mandate to ensure that Ayush interventions meet global safety and quality standards, thereby enhancing public confidence and international recognition of Indian traditional medicines, the ministry said in a statement. The exercise involved a critical synthesis of Ayurvedic classical references, preclinical data, toxicology findings and available clinical literature, it said in the statement. As part of its ongoing efforts to strengthen the scientific evidence base of traditional medicine, the Ayush ministry has made significant progress in the development of safety dossiers for four important Ayush herbs — Gokshura (Tribulus terrestris), Tulsi (Ocimum sanctum), Haridra (Curcuma longa) and Chandrashura (Lepidium sativum). The National Expert Committee meeting was held from July 21 to 22 at the All India Institute of Ayurveda (AIIA), Goa. The committee, constituted by the Ministry of Ayush, co-chaired by Dr A Raghu, Deputy Director General (Ayush), and Dr J B Gupta, comprises senior experts and scientists from leading institutions including AIIA (Goa and New Delhi), AIIMS New Delhi, CCRAS, DIPSAR, ITRA, IIT Jodhpur, CIMAP and Savitribai Phule Pune University. 'The National Expert Committee undertook a rigorous review of scientific, pharmacological, and traditional data to refine safety documentation for the selected herbs," the statement said. The ministry commended the expert committee and collaborating institutions for their contributions and reaffirms its commitment to promoting evidence-based, safe and effective Ayush practices. PTI PLB KSS KSS (This story has not been edited by News18 staff and is published from a syndicated news agency feed - PTI) view comments First Published: July 24, 2025, 22:30 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store