Punjab Cancer Hospital Completes 100 Free Robotic Cancer Surgeries

Homi Bhabha Cancer Hospital & Research Centre (HBCHRC), Punjab, has completed more than 100 complex robotic cancer surgeries in less than six months, with all procedures provided free of cost to patients.

The hospital, a unit of the Tata Memorial Centre under the Department of Atomic Energy, Government of India, is the first Central Government hospital in Punjab to achieve this milestone.

Punjab Governor and UT Administrator Gulab Chand Kataria announced the robotic surgery facility during the Homi Bhabha Cancer Conclave in August last year.

According to HBCHRC Director Dr Ashish Gulia, robotic surgery remains available at only a limited number of hospitals across North India.

The hospital had initially committed to offering 80 free robotic surgeries but surpassed the target by completing over 100 procedures without any additional cost to patients.

The robotic surgery programme has enabled highly precise procedures for cancers of the oesophagus, colon, rectum, uterus, urinary bladder, kidney, lungs, pancreas, gall bladder, liver, and head and neck.

The hospital stated that its New Chandigarh facility now offers advanced robotic surgery at significantly lower costs than private healthcare institutions.

Head of Oncosurgery Dr Vikram Singh clarified that robotic surgery does not replace surgeons, with the operating surgeon retaining complete control throughout the procedure.

Oncosurgeon Dr Arvind Guru highlighted that the technology allows greater precision in hard-to-reach areas through small keyhole incisions, resulting in reduced blood loss, less pain and faster recovery.

The hospital also successfully performed robotic surgery on an 80-year-old patient, who required a shorter ICU stay and recovered quickly.

About the Hospital

The 300-bed hospital, built at a cost of about ₹660 crore, was dedicated to the nation by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in August 2022 and provides comprehensive cancer care, including surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy and bone marrow transplant. It functions as the hub of a regional network, with the 150-bed Sangrur hospital serving as its spoke.

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