Nagpur: In a first-of-its-kind medical feat in the public healthcare system, Dr Raj Gajbhiye, eminent surgeon and dean of Government Medical College and Hospital (GMCH), performed two robotic surgeries from a distance of over 1,000km, while seated at a console in Gurugram. The historic procedures, carried out last week using the indigenously developed SSI Mantra Surgical Robotic System, mark India’s first telesurgery in a govt hospital.The landmark operations — a hernia repair and a gallbladder removal — were performed by Dr Gajbhiye during his visit to the robotic facility in Gurugram. Despite the vast distance, both procedures were completed with flawless precision and minimal latency, thanks to the seamless integration of robotic technology and on-ground coordination by the surgical team in Nagpur. Dr Gajbhiye returned to Nagpur on Sunday after the successful demonstration.Calling the achievement a breakthrough for public health institutions in India, Dr Gajbhiye said, “This historic surgery sets a precedent for every govt medical institution in India. By successfully demonstrating telesurgery in a public setting, we are redefining the future of healthcare access and medical training. GMCH Nagpur is proud to lead this transformation in collaboration with SS Innovations International.”The SSI Mantra system, developed by Indian firm SSII, is the country’s first and only indigenous robotic surgery platform. The success of this telesurgical procedure opens up new possibilities for delivering expert care to patients in remote or underserved areas — without the need for specialists to be physically present.“This is a defining moment for Indian healthcare,” said Dr Sudhir Srivastava, founder and CEO of SSII. “Our vision is to make world-class surgical care accessible and affordable. With this collaboration with GMC Nagpur, the future of surgery has truly become borderless.”This milestone reflects the growing role of indigenous innovation in bridging geographical barriers and democratising access to advanced surgical care, especially within India’s public healthcare system.BOXHow surgery was done– Dr Raj Gajbhiye operated on two patients in Nagpur while sitting at a robotic console in Gurugram– He performed a hernia and gallbladder surgery remotely– Surgeries were controlled in real time, with near-zero delay and full precision– His actions were relayed instantly to a robotic arm at GMCH Nagpur, guided by a support team– Technology allows expert surgeons to operate on patients in remote areas without being physically present– Reduces need for patients to travel long distances for complex surgeries
