The All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in New Delhi has inaugurated a state-of-the-art Da Vinci Surgical Robot at its Skills, E-Learning and Telemedicine (SET) Facility to enhance robotic-assisted surgery training. The system has been provided by Intuitive Surgical under a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).
With this addition, AIIMS New Delhi becomes the only institution in India to house two dedicated surgical robots for training, as the facility already features a Hugo robotic training system from Medtronic.
The SET facility serves numerous trainees and faculty from AIIMS and other medical institutions, offering access to cutting-edge simulators, manikins, and trainers. This allows students, nurses, residents, and healthcare professionals to practice in a supervised, stress-free setting.
The installation of the Da Vinci system will enable hands-on learning across core specialties such as urology, gynaecology, general surgery, surgical oncology, and head and neck surgery, equipping care teams with the skills required to perform robotic-assisted procedures.
Dr. M. Srinivas, Director of AIIMS Delhi, said:
“With this training centre, AIIMS Delhi is reinforcing its leadership in advancing surgical education and innovation. The demand for precision-driven technologies, like robotic-assisted surgery, is growing in India. By equipping surgeons to perform surgeries on advanced robotic technologies, this centre will help improve surgical precision, reduce recovery times, and elevate patient care across the country.”
He further noted that earlier, surgeons had to travel abroad and spend large sums to acquire such training, which can now be accessed domestically.
Rohitt Mahajan, Vice President and General Manager at Intuitive India, assured full support to ensure optimal use of the system.
Dr. Amlesh Seth, Professor and Head of the Department of Urology at AIIMS Delhi, added:
“Robotic surgery has transformed the way we perform surgeries by enhancing precision, control, and visibility. This training centre will allow experienced surgeons at AIIMS to mentor and guide the next generation of robotic surgeons, ensuring they are equipped with the right skills and confidence to advance surgical excellence across the country. This will also help residents gain early exposure to advanced minimally invasive techniques, practice in a safe and controlled environment, and build confidence before entering independent practice. This strengthens their foundation in precision surgery and enhances patient safety.”
This marks the first installation of Intuitive Surgical’s Da Vinci system for training at a government medical college in India, paving the way for the wider adoption of robotic-assisted surgery nationwide.