Robotic, innovative surgeries now a reality in Northeast: Here’s how

Guwahati: Robotic and advanced innovative surgeries will become a reality in the Northeast, thanks to an association of robotic surgeons!

Assam Cabinet minister Chandra Mohan Patowary formally launched the Association of the Robotic and Innovative Surgeons (ARIS), the country’s first robotic surgeons association, in Guwahati on Saturday.

According to the association, robotic surgery is the new future of surgery across the globe with recent advances in equipment and effective surgical techniques, making minimally invasive surgeries possible.

The advantages of robotic surgery over standard surgical approaches are prompt recovery, lower rate of postoperative infection, decreased pain, improved postoperative immune function, et al.

The new technology is also proven to be cost-effective in the long run when compared with conventional surgical approaches.

ARIS president, Dr Subhash Khanna said that it is unprecedented that many international associations have expressed interest to tie up with the association to groom surgeons in robotics.

“Our aim is to provide advanced treatment and healthcare to patients in Assam itself instead of going to Delhi, Mumbai or Bangalore. We want to help patients from economically disadvantaged families from our end,” Khanna informed mediapersons.

“This is indeed a great news for Assam and the Northeast that advanced surgical procedures and techniques in the form of robotic surgeries will now be performed by surgeons in Assam,” state industries and commerce minister Patowary said.

“As it is, the Assam government has already taken a slew of measures to improve healthcare infrastructure and we believe that Guwahati will rank among the top 10 healthcare tourism destinations in the country,” Patowary said.

The minister said, “I am glad to know that ARIS will promote scientific activities in robotics, surgical skills to encourage medical research in the field of robotic surgery. We take pride in Dr Khanna being a pioneer in robotic surgery, not just in the region but in the country as well.”

“Besides, the ARIS president and another member will deliver speeches on robotic surgery in the US and UK in the coming days as resource persons,” he said, while acknowledging the initiative of the founding members to have considered launching such an association in Guwahati. 

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