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India Today
30-05-2025
- Health
- India Today
How robotic surgery is transforming women's health in India
As India observes Women's Health Month, India Today spoke with leading gynaecologists and surgeons behind a landmark multi-institutional study titled 'Trends in Gynecological Robotic Surgery in India: A Real-World Scenario', which is shedding light on how robotic-assisted surgery (RAS) is transforming gynaecological care nationwide. Conducted across five premier tertiary hospitals—Apollo Health City (Hyderabad), PGIMER (Chandigarh), Manipal Hospital (Bangalore), Narayana Hrudayalaya (Bangalore), and Tata Memorial Hospital (Mumbai)—the study showcases how RAS is driving better outcomes for women undergoing surgery for both benign and malignant by data spanning over a decade, the study reflects how innovation in surgical technology is not just enhancing recovery but redefining access and quality in women's healthcare across to the study, more than 70% of all robotic gynaecological surgeries were performed in just the last five years, indicating rapid adoption and growing trust in the technology. This reflects a broader shift in surgical practice, where precision, minimal invasiveness, and faster recovery are becoming central priorities, especially for women who often juggle health with multiple PRECISION FOR COMPLEX GYNAECOLOGICAL CONDITIONS "Dr Rooma Sinha, Honorary Professor and Chief Gynaecologist at Apollo Health City and one of the lead authors of the study, underlines the key value of robotic-assisted surgery: precision. 'Robotic-assisted surgery is increasingly being used to manage benign gynaecological conditions such as fibroids and endometriosis, offering enhanced outcomes across a wide range of cases,' she said. This precision is particularly important in surgeries involving fertility preservation, such as myomectomy—the removal of fibroids while keeping the uterus RECOVERY, LESS BLOOD LOSS, FEWER COMPLICATIONSadvertisementAcross hospitals, the data echoed similar global findings: robotic-assisted procedures resulted in reduced blood loss, shorter hospital stays, and quicker recoveries. These improvements are especially valuable in the Indian healthcare context, where many patients travel long distances for treatment. 'We were able to keep blood loss low and recovery times short—even for large fibroids or complex cases,' said Dr Sinha, who also serves as the Founder-President of the Association of Gynaecological Robotic RESULTS REGARDLESS OF BODY TYPEThe study also found that BMI (Body Mass Index) had no significant impact on surgical outcomes, meaning that RAS can be equally effective across a wide range of body types. Additionally, improved surgical workflows—like shorter docking times as teams gained experience—also contributed to more efficient and safe CONDITIONS TREATED USING ROBOTIC SURGERYAmong the most common conditions treated using RAS wereFibroids (Myomas)EndometriosisAdenomyosisVault prolapseOvarian cystsThese often require intricate dissection and suturing, making robotic assistance especially beneficial. 'Advanced robotic platforms like da Vinci give us better visualisation and control, which makes a real difference in such complex surgeries,' explained Dr Subhas C. Saha, Professor at TOWARDS ACCESSIBLE AND AFFORDABLE RASDespite the benefits, cost and insurance coverage remain major hurdles. However, surgeons are working on refining procedures to lower costs, such as using fewer robotic arms and adopting multifunctional tools. 'There is a strong case for insurers to expand coverage,' Dr Saha added. 'More streamlined reimbursement policies can help ensure that advanced care becomes accessible to a broader population.'advertisementAs robotic surgery continues to evolve and become more mainstream, it is poised to play a pivotal role in the future of women's healthcare in India. Its benefits—faster recovery, fewer complications, and precision—align with the needs of today's patients. With improved access and affordability, robotic-assisted gynaecological surgery could soon become the standard of care, delivering better outcomes for women across the country.
Time of India
05-05-2025
- Health
- Time of India
A year on, long Covid patients still struggle with health & debt: Study
Hyderabad: A multi-centre study by researchers from Hyderabad, Vellore, Mumbai, and Thiruvalla has found that 16.5% of hospitalised Covid-19 patients in India continued to experience long Covid symptoms even one year after discharge. The study, which followed 315 patients across four hospitals — Apollo Health City in Hyderabad, Christian Medical College in Vellore, MGM New Bombay Hospital in Navi Mumbai, and Believers Church Medical College Hospital in Thiruvalla, Kerala — used both quantitative tracking and qualitative interviews to assess the ongoing physical and mental impact of the illness. Titled "Prevalence and Predictors of Long Covid at 1 Year in a Cohort of Hospitalised Patients," and published in the open-access journal PLOS ONE, the research found that many patients continued to report multiple symptoms affecting their daily lives at the 12-month mark. The most commonly cited issues were breathlessness, fatigue, and muscle pain. You Can Also Check: Hyderabad AQI | Weather in Hyderabad | Bank Holidays in Hyderabad | Public Holidays in Hyderabad The patient group had a median age of 52 years and 59.4% were male. Comorbid conditions were widespread, with 38.7% of participants having diabetes and 36.8% dealing with hypertension. Breathlessness remained the most consistent symptom across all follow-ups — at 6 weeks, 3 months, 6 months, and 12 months — while the severity of muscle pain and fatigue fluctuated over time. Beyond clinical data, the research included a qualitative component involving in-depth, face-to-face interviews with a subset of patients to better understand how long Covid had affected their quality of life and economic stability. Using open-ended questions, researchers explored health-related issues as well as the financial and social challenges faced post-hospitalisation. "I pledged my home and property and borrowed money. My sister helped, and I pledged my wife's jewellery. Altogether, I spent Rs 10 lakh — Rs 5 lakh was covered by insurance," said a 57-year-old male patient. "Everyone feels happy after recovery, but I don't. The economic burden has left me shattered." Another 38-year-old woman, a daily wage labourer along with her husband, shared a similar experience. "The hospital gave us some concession, but we had to buy the medicines ourselves. We spent over Rs 1 lakh. To manage that, we had to pledge silver and gold ornaments. A doctor helped us by providing costly medicines for free. Without that, we wouldn't have made it. If not for the help, the cost could have gone up to Rs 10 lakh." Dr Suneetha Narreddy, an infectious diseases expert based in Hyderabad and part of the research team, said the findings highlight the urgent need for targeted care strategies. "This study underscores the urgent need for targeted interventions to manage the physical, psychological, and socioeconomic fallout of long Covid," she said. Researchers also employed logistic regression analysis and quality-of-life assessments to evaluate the long-term impact. At the one-year point, 19.8% of patients reported mobility issues, and 16.9% said they had difficulty carrying out daily activities. The study further found that a prior ICU admission or hospital stay longer than seven days significantly increased the risk of long Covid. Symptoms such as breathlessness, cough, joint pain, and weight loss observed at six weeks post-discharge were strong indicators of persistent health challenges. Earlier studies in India had reported long Covid prevalence rates between 30% and 37%, but those were based on shorter follow-up periods. "By extending the observation to a full year, our study provides a clearer, more nuanced picture," Dr Narreddy added.
