Witnessing Increasing Demand For Robotic Systems From Indian Hospitals:  Intuitive Surgical

Intuitive Surgical, renowned for its da Vinci robotic surgical system, notes a post-Covid surge in demand for robotic systems in Indian hospitals, spanning major chains, standalone hospitals, and smaller city-based facilities. The expansion into robotics is becoming a prominent factor across diverse healthcare settings.

Intuitive Surgical, the US-based medical equipment manufacturer renowned for its da Vinci robotic surgical system, has reported a surge in post-Covid demand from Indian hospitals as they rapidly integrate robotic technology into their operations.

The rising interest in robotic-assisted surgical systems transcends beyond major hospital chains in metropolitan and Tier-I cities. Standalone hospitals and those located in smaller towns too are also displaying a strong inclination toward adopting this technology.

Mandeep Singh Kumar, vice-president and country general manager of Intuitive India, highlighted the remarkable growth in installations over the past year compared to the pre-Covid period.

In an interview with ET, Kumar attributed this surge to pent-up demand from reduced investments during the pandemic. He noted that hospitals recognise the value of shorter recovery times associated with robotic-assisted surgery, which optimises bed capacity and reduces complications.

Kumar underscored the company's focus on two key segments. Firstly, major hospital networks including Apollo, Fortis, Max, and Manipal have been pivotal in embracing this technology.

Secondly, esteemed research and teaching government institutions such as AIIMS (Delhi) and JIPMER (Puducherry) have played a crucial role in adopting and championing this advanced surgical approach.

The increased demand highlights the realisation within the healthcare sector of the advantages robotic-assisted surgery can bring, both in terms of patient outcomes and operational efficiency. As hospitals continue to expand their robotic capabilities, the trend is reshaping the landscape of surgical care in India.

Previously, Yashoda Super Specialty Hospital introduced robotic surgery and artificial intelligence departments in Ghaziabad in April 2023. The hospital unveiled the implementation of the fourth-generation robotic surgery program, da Vinci, developed by Intuitive Surgical.

Through this initiative, the hospital's objective is to enhance the affordability and accessibility of Robotic Assisted Surgery (RAS) for the general public, with a primary emphasis on improving patient outcomes.