Assam Launches Northeast’s First Onco-Robotic Surgery Facility at GMCH

Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced that similar facilities would be set up in government hospitals in Silchar and Dibrugarh.

In a significant step toward enhancing cancer care, Assam inaugurated the Northeast region’s first onco-robotic surgery facility on Sunday at the Guwahati Medical College and Hospital (GMCH).

The launch comes just ahead of the month-long Bohag Bihu festivities, marking a new milestone in the state’s healthcare infrastructure.

The advanced robotic surgery machine, procured at a cost of INR 14.99 crore, has been installed under the Central Government’s National Programme for Prevention and Control of Cancer, Diabetes, Cardiovascular Diseases and Stroke (NPCDCS).

This initiative aims to expand access to affordable and precise oncological surgical procedures.

Government Plans Expansion Across the State

Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced that similar facilities would be set up in government hospitals in Silchar and Dibrugarh.

He emphasized that the robotic system—developed under the “Make in India” initiative—will enable low-cost, high-precision, and minimally invasive surgeries for cancer patients in Assam.

The state is also establishing nursing colleges in all cancer hospitals to support the rollout of such high-end technology.

These institutions will offer training with exposure to English and Japanese languages, aiming to equip students with skills for global healthcare careers.

Public-Private Partnership Supports Medical Innovation

The Chief Minister also expressed his gratitude to the ICICI Foundation, which donated advanced medical equipment to the State Cancer Institute under its corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiative.

According to an official statement, the robotic surgery system offers enhanced precision, improved control, and 3D visualization, leading to better surgical outcomes. It includes universal safety features and an articulating endoscope with a camera control system powered by the latest software.

The introduction of robotic surgery is expected to reduce operation time and minimize the risk of bleeding, further improving cancer treatment in the region.

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