Uro Laser Technology Unit launched at Aragonda Apollo Hospitals
'The facility uses advanced laser technology to offer minimally invasive and highly effective solutions for urological issues,' said Dr. H.S. Shankar of the Apollo Hospitals at the launch programme, highlighting the hospital's commitment to delivering world-class healthcare to rural communities.
'This technology allows for precision treatment with faster recovery times. The services will also be available under government-supported schemes such as Arogyasri and the Employees Health Scheme (EHS), ensuring broader access to quality care,' he said.
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Business Standard
3 hours ago
- Business Standard
Robo-surgeries soar as AI boosts surgical efficiency, diagnostic precision
In 2010, Rajinikanth's movie Robot had a scene of a humanoid robot conducting a delivery in an operation theatre, which gave viewers goosebumps. It was just four years after India saw its first robotic surgery involving a four-armed Da Vinci surgical system at AIIMS in Delhi. Fast forward to 2025, robotic surgeries are no longer a rarity in the India. Industry estimates indicate that the country has so far witnessed over 150,000 robot-assisted surgeries, in addition to fully robotic surgeries. The country is now seeing over 12,000 robotic procedures performed by around 1,000 surgeons annually. According to industry experts, artificial intelligence (AI) is adding to the efficiency of these procedures through predictive analytics, clinical decision support through personalised treatment pathways and diagnostic precision, use of generative AI for clinical documentation, and real-time AI-driven insights supporting efficient resource allocation and decision-making. AI can reduce operation times by around 15 per cent. With 5G and telemedicine evolving further, such procedures are even done remotely now. If numbers are to be believed, India is fast becoming a destination for international patients seeking robotic surgeries, due to at least a 50 per cent cost advantage compared to countries like the United States and those in Europe. The majority of patients opting for India are from the US, the United Kingdom, Nigeria, Kenya, Saudi Arabia, Uzbekistan, Oman, Afghanistan, Sri Lanka, and Australia. Driven by global interest, India's surgical robotics market is expected to grow reportedly from around $900 million now to almost $4 billion by the financial year 2031 (FY31). The rapid growth in robotic surgeries can be gauged by the rate at which such procedures are increasing in private chains like Apollo Hospitals. It was one of the first hospitals to start robotic surgery, way back in 2011, and has so far conducted a total of 22,145 procedures. Out of that, around 8 per cent or 1,751 surgeries were conducted during the April to June quarter of FY26. 'Robotic surgeries are being done by us for complex procedures including cardiac, oncology, orthopaedics, spine and neuro, gastrointestinal, gynaecology, urology, and general surgery. The advantages range from enhanced precision, reduced recovery times, and improved patient outcomes through robotic-assisted procedures,' said Madhu Sasidhar, president and chief executive officer of Apollo's hospital division. Robotic surgery gives medical professionals more flexibility, precision, and control than is feasible with conventional methods for performing a variety of complex procedures. According to Apollo, the most common clinical robotic surgical system has a camera arm and mechanical arms with surgical instruments attached. The surgeon controls the arms while seated at a computer console next to the operating table. The console shows the surgeon a high-definition, magnified, three-dimensional view of the surgery area. Among the several surgical systems across the world, Da Vinci is the most commonly used one in India. Case Study A 45-year-old man fell from his bike and suffered a blunt injury to his upper abdomen. By the time he was referred from a peripheral centre to Medanta's Lucknow Super Speciality Hospital, he was showing signs of internal bleeding and a drop in haemoglobin levels. Once the patient was stabilised, the surgical team decided to proceed with robotic-assisted surgery instead of the traditional open method. 'While other minimally invasive options were available, we went the robotic route because of the multiple advantages it offers over other methods,' said Sandeep Verma, director GI Surgery, Medanta Super Speciality Hospital, Lucknow. 'In trauma, controlling bleeding with precision is critical. Robotic-assisted surgery gave us the manoeuvrability and dexterity needed to take fine sutures on the injured vein, which would have been very difficult using laparoscopy. With vascular structures, even a one-millimetre deviation can make a life-threatening difference,' he said. The entire procedure was completed robotically in under two hours and the patient recovered well and was discharged four days after surgery without complications. Robotic-assisted surgery is still relatively uncommon in trauma care, mainly because such cases often require urgent intervention where open surgery is typically quicker and more widely practiced. However, Verma explained that in stable patients like this one, robotics can offer distinct benefits: precise repairs which were crucial in reducing trauma to surrounding tissues, less postoperative pain, and quicker return to normal activities. 'Another advantage of robotics is that we can reach complex and hard-to-reach areas with better control and visibility, which supports enhanced outcomes,' he noted. Soaring popularity of robots It is this higher efficiency level, lower post-surgery expenses, fewer possibilities of infection at the surgical site, and reduced medical dosage that make the process popular among Indians. Prashant Hansraj Salvi, consultant minimal invasive, Bariatric and Metabolic Surgery, Jupiter Hospital, Thane, says that nowadays even patients themselves ask whether robotic procedures were feasible on them. The rise in popularity is across the country, as another leading player, HealthCare Global Enterprises, said it conducted 1,100 robotic surgeries in FY25. 'The adoption of robotic-assisted procedures at HCG has been growing consistently at 11-14 per cent year-on-year, sustaining double-digit growth driven by increasing patient awareness and expanding clinical applications,' said B S Ajaikumar, founder and chairman, HealthCare Global Enterprises. Robotic-assisted surgery at HCG sees the highest traction in urology, head and neck oncology, and gastrointestinal oncology. According to an Industry Trends and Forecast research report, around 35 per cent of surgical robotics adoption is happening in North India (led by Delhi-NCR) due to the presence of major hospitals like AIIMS and Fortis, closely followed by South India with 30 per cent led by around 34 robotic systems of Apollo Hospitals. West India, on the other hand, contributes 20 per cent with hospitals like Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital investing in multiple robotic systems. Penetration is lower in East India with 10 per cent, and Central and Northeast India together around 5 per cent. 'The price differential involved in robotic surgeries can vary on a case-by-case basis and depends mainly on the type of surgery. It is difficult to put a bracket on the cost difference, however usually the differential can vary between ~30,000 to ~150,000 for different procedures,' Ajmera said. Despite the rising popularity, high initial and operational cost is a concern for hospitals. The report added that a Da Vinci robot can cost upwards of $1.5-2 million, with annual maintenance expenses ranging from $100,000-150,000, limiting adoption in smaller hospitals and rural healthcare facilities. Companies like SS Innovations International, Meril Life Sciences, RIL-promoted Addverb Technologies,and Medtronic are taking giant strides in India to reduce this bottleneck. In addition to this, limited patient awareness, higher out-of-pocket expenses due to lack of comprehensive insurance coverage, and conventional methods having a lesser cost of around 70 per cent are hindering the sector's growth. Well, despite all this, robotic surgeries are on the fast track, leading the Indian healthcare ecosystem to its future.
Time of India
4 days ago
- Time of India
Apollo Hospitals shares in focus as brokerages hike target prices post strong Q1FY26 results
Apollo Hospitals shares are likely to be in focus on Thursday, August 14, after the company posted a strong set of Q1FY26 results , prompting multiple brokerage firms to raise their target prices for the stock. The healthcare major reported a consolidated net profit of Rs 433 crore for the quarter ended June 30, 2025, marking a 42% year-on-year increase from Rs 305 crore in the same period last year. On a sequential basis, PAT was up 11% from Rs 390 crore in Q4FY25. Finance Value and Valuation Masterclass - Batch 4 By CA Himanshu Jain View Program Artificial Intelligence AI For Business Professionals Batch 2 By Ansh Mehra View Program Finance Value and Valuation Masterclass - Batch 3 By CA Himanshu Jain View Program Artificial Intelligence AI For Business Professionals By Vaibhav Sisinity View Program Finance Value and Valuation Masterclass - Batch 2 By CA Himanshu Jain View Program Finance Value and Valuation Masterclass Batch-1 By CA Himanshu Jain View Program Revenue from operations in Q1FY26 rose 15% year-on-year to Rs 5,842 crore compared to Rs 5,086 crore in Q1FY25. Sequentially, revenue grew 4.5% from Rs 5,592 crore in the March quarter. The robust performance was supported by growth across segments, improved specialty mix, and operational efficiency gains. Nuvama: Buy| Target price: Rs 9,010 Nuvama has raised its target price for Apollo Hospitals to Rs 9,010 from Rs 8,635, maintaining a 'Buy' rating. Live Events The brokerage noted strong performance from HealthCo and said sustained execution remains key. It expects hospital growth from H2FY26 through phased bed expansion, higher international patient inflows, and an improved specialty mix. Nuvama also highlighted potential value unlocking from the Keimed merger, front-end restructuring, and a possible listing within 18 months. HealthCo's valuation multiple was raised to 26x from 22x, and FY26E/FY27E EBITDA estimates were increased by 2% and 4%, respectively. Motilal Oswal: Buy| Target price: Rs 9,010 Motilal Oswal also raised its target price to Rs 9,010 from Rs 8,720 while maintaining a 'Buy' rating. The firm cited broad-based growth with EBITDA and PAT beating estimates on cost optimisation and noted that profitability was boosted by lower operating expenses. It highlighted a 14% year-on-year rise in surgical revenues on the back of strong CONGO therapy momentum. HealthCo is on track for cash EBITDA breakeven (excluding ESOP) by Q2FY26/Q3FY26. The brokerage expects 15%, 21%, and 28% CAGR in revenue, EBITDA, and PAT, respectively, over FY25–FY27 and has raised its FY26/FY27 earnings estimates by 7%. Avendus: Buy| Target price: Rs 8,765 Avendus has increased its target price for Apollo Hospitals to Rs 8,765 from Rs 8,515, reiterating a 'Buy' call. The brokerage has advanced the breakeven timeline for the online business EBITDA to FY27 from FY28 earlier. It projects ex-Keimed revenue CAGR at 17% in FY25–FY27, with EBITDA expected at Rs 510 crore and Rs 770 crore for FY26 and FY27, respectively. Offline pharmacy revenue CAGR is also projected at 17%, while existing units' EBITDA CAGR is estimated at 16% in the same period. Avendus factors in the AHCo–Keimed merger in April 2026 and the APL front-end acquisition in April 2027. It expects healthcare services EBITDA CAGR of 14% and AHLL at 22% over FY25–FY27. FY26/FY27 EBITDA estimates have been raised by 4% each, driven by higher AHCo EBITDA, partly offset by new hospital losses. Also read: Zerodha's Nithin Kamath on how a boring, invisible Sebi step brought windfall gains for retail investors ( Disclaimer : Recommendations, suggestions, views and opinions given by the experts are their own. These do not represent the views of The Economic Times)
The Print
4 days ago
- The Print
Harvard researchers may have found key piece to Alzheimer's puzzle. It was in the human brain all along
The disease, which typically affects a large number of those above 65 years of age and is the commonest cause of dementia, is characterised by destruction of memory and mental functions and researchers have been working for decades to find its cure, without success. Scientists associated with the Harvard Medical School in the US say, the key to Alzheimer's—an incurable neurodegenerative condition—could be lithium metal, already well-known in psychiatry for treating conditions such as bipolar disorder. But until now, its deficiency had not been directly linked with Alzheimer's. New Delhi: The findings from a ground-breaking scientific project on early detection, prevention and treatment of Alzheimer's disease may lead to a foundational piece of the puzzle. The latest study, published in journal Nature this month, showed—for the first time—that lithium naturally occurs in the brain, protects it from neurodegeneration and maintains the normal function of all crucial brain cell types. The results—which were a decade in the making—are based on a series of meticulously planned experiments on mice and analyses of human brain tissue, apart from blood samples from people in various stages of cognitive health. 'These observations indicate a physiological role for endogenous lithium that affects brain aging and vulnerability to Alzheimer's,' the scientists noted. It was estimated that in 2021, nearly 50-400 million people worldwide had Alzheimer's, typically associated with high levels of beta-amyloids, a specific type of protein whose build-up can seriously impair functioning of several organs such as the brain. Through this latest project, US scientists found that lithium loss in the human brain is one of the earliest changes leading to Alzheimer's, while in mice, similar lithium depletion accelerated brain pathology and memory decline. Also, the reduced lithium levels stemmed from binding to amyloid plaques and impaired uptake in the brain. A final set of experiments also found that a novel lithium compound that avoids capture by amyloid plaques restored memory in mice. Understandably, clinicians are excited. 'This work shifts lithium from the sidelines to centrestage in Alzheimer's research, revealing it might have an overlooked but important key to understanding the ailment, with implications for its early detection, prevention, and management,' Dr Sudhir Kumar, a senior neurologist associated with Apollo Hospitals in Hyderabad, told ThePrint. In India, it is estimated that nearly 8 million people are currently living with Alzheimer's, and this number is projected to double by 2030. Also read: 'Rare' genetic mutation linked to Alzhiemer's resistance in international study Spotting the missing link Experts say that the life-altering disease has for long been associated with clumps of the protein amyloid beta, neurofibrillary tangles of the protein Tau—another crucial protein found in neurons—and loss of a protective type of protein, known as REST. Yet, these never fully explained the exact cause behind the disease. For instance, some people with these abnormalities have the condition but many others don't. For years, research has focused on preventing or slowing beta-amyloid build-up, from early vaccine attempts to more recent monoclonal antibody therapies such as lecanenab and donanenab approved by the US Food And Drug Administration, said Dr Arabinda Mukherjee, neurologist with CMRI Hospital in Kolkata. These newer drugs typically target the beta-amyloid plaque but don't reverse memory loss and only modestly reduce the rate of decline. The risk of the disease has also been linked with genetic and environmental factors but neuroscientists have not been able to figure out why some people with these risk factors develop Alzheimer's but others don't. In this context, the answer thrown by the new study—lithium—could be the critical missing link. The CMRI neurologist said that anything that gives us a new path towards prevention or slowing progression could have a profound impact—not only on patients, but also on their families and the healthcare system. 'This study is a reminder that sometimes solutions may lie in unexpected places, and that even familiar compounds can reveal new possibilities when science takes a closer look,' he underlined. Why a potential game-changer The new findings, experts say, fill a major gap in our understanding of early Alzheimer's pathology and the study is the first to show that lithium is naturally present in the brain and that its levels drop significantly in individuals with mild cognitive impairment (MCI), a precursor to Alzheimer's. Among the implications of the results, said Dr Kumar, could be the reframing of lithium from a psychiatric drug to a potential nutrient-like neuroprotective agent; as the findings have demonstrated, it plays a physiological role in brain health, not just a pharmacologic one, and its deprivation may be an early driver of Alzheimer's. It may also lead to introduction of amyloid-evading lithium compounds such as lithium orotate, as unlike conventional lithium salts like carbonates, lithium orotate can bypass amyloid sequestration. In mouse models, it rescued memory and halted neuropathology without the toxicity seen at higher doses. Additionally, the work has offered new diagnostic and therapeutic avenues and shown that tracking lithium levels, possibly through blood or imaging, could serve as an early biomarker for disease risk. Low-dose lithium supplementation, especially with plaque-evading forms, may emerge as a preventative or disease-modifying strategy, pointed out Dr Kumar. (Edited by Viny Mishra) Also read: There is a huge treatment gap for neurological conditions like Alzheimer's—how to close it
