Chief Minister (CM) Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu inaugurated Himachal Pradesh’s first robotic-assisted surgery facility at the department of urology, Atal Institute of Medical Super Specialities (AIMSS), 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 Health Minister Dr (Col.) Dhani Ram Shandil and Minister for Rural Development Anirudh Singh, alongside senior officials from Health and Medical Education departments.
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 modernising healthcare facilities across the state and ensuring equitable access to advanced surgical care. 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."
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.
To support this initiative, the government will initiate recruitment of specialist robotic surgeons to build a future-ready team capable of leading the expansion of advanced surgical care in Himachal Pradesh.
