New Delhi: HL September 06, 2026
In a significant development in India’s healthcare and surgical technology, a woman located more than 1,600 kilometres away in Hyderabad underwent a successful robotic surgical procedure performed remotely by a surgeon based in the Delhi-NCR region.
The patient was being treated at Preeti Kidney & Urology Hospital in Hyderabad for a problem involving the ureter—the narrow tube that carries urine from the kidney to the urinary bladder. Her condition required a complex procedure to reconnect the ureter with the urinary bladder.
The surgery was performed remotely by Dr Anup Kumar, Professor and Head of the Department of Urology, Robotics and Renal Transplant at VMMC and Safdarjung Hospital, using a robotic surgical system.
Dr Anup Kumar, Professor and Head of the Department of Urology, Robotics and Renal Transplant at VMMC and Safdarjung Hospital, Delhi
Surgery Conducted Across a Distance of Around 1,600 Km
The procedure was carried out between the SS Innovations International headquarters in Gurugram and the hospital in Hyderabad. The surgical team used the SSI Mantra Surgical Robotic System to enable the remote operation.
According to the information provided, the communication and robotic connection during the procedure experienced negligible signal delay, allowing the surgery to be completed successfully.
A medical team led by Dr Chandramohan Vaddi remained with the patient in Hyderabad and assisted during the procedure, while the operating surgeon remotely controlled the robotic system.
First Such Government-Institution Milestone in Urology
The procedure has been described as a major milestone because it represents a robotic telesurgery in urology performed remotely by a surgeon associated with a government medical institution in India.
Remote robotic surgery has the potential to connect highly specialised surgeons with patients who may otherwise have to travel hundreds or thousands of kilometres to access advanced surgical expertise.
The development could be particularly significant for patients living in areas where specialised surgical services are not readily available.
Focus on Expanding Specialist Healthcare Access
The achievement also highlights the potential of technology to reduce geographical barriers in healthcare. Patients requiring highly specialised procedures may benefit if experienced surgeons can provide remote surgical assistance without being physically present at the patient’s hospital.
However, successful telesurgery depends on several factors, including a reliable high-speed communication network, specialised robotic equipment, trained local medical teams and robust safety protocols.
Health Minister Praises the Achievement
Union Health Minister J.P. Nadda also appreciated the development, highlighting its potential to expand access to specialist surgical services in distant areas.
The milestone demonstrates how advances in robotics, telecommunications and minimally invasive surgery could reshape the delivery of specialised healthcare in India.
The surgical team in Hyderabad, led by Dr Chandramohan Vaddi, worked alongside the remote surgical team. The achievement was also acknowledged by Dr Sudhir Srivastava, Founder and Chairman of SS Innovations, who congratulated Dr Anup Kumar, Dr Chandramohan Vaddi and the surgical, nursing and technical teams involved in the procedure.
Why This Matters
The successful procedure represents more than a technological achievement. It points towards a future in which geographical distance may become less of a barrier to accessing specialised surgical expertise.
For a country as geographically diverse as India, remote robotic surgery could eventually play an important role in connecting advanced medical expertise with patients in distant locations.
