Guwahati: Gauhati Medical College and Hospital (GMCH) has achieved a significant milestone in public healthcare by successfully performing robotic-assisted cardiac procedures, including coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) and mitral valve surgery, for the first time in the Northeast.
The development marks a major advancement in the availability of specialised cardiac treatment within Assam’s public healthcare system. Robotic-assisted surgery combines advanced technology with surgical expertise, using three-dimensional visualisation and highly precise robotic instruments to perform complex procedures through smaller incisions.
The minimally invasive approach can help reduce postoperative discomfort and may allow patients to recover faster compared with conventional surgical procedures.
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma congratulated the GMCH medical team on the achievement in a post on X, describing it as a significant moment for the state’s public healthcare sector.
The Chief Minister also highlighted ongoing efforts to upgrade GMCH’s infrastructure and expand its tertiary cardiac care facilities, with the broader objective of developing the institution into a world-class medical centre.
According to the announcement, the state’s healthcare expansion plans also include working towards the establishment of a comprehensive cardiac transplant programme.
The introduction of robotic-assisted cardiac surgery is expected to enhance GMCH’s capacity to provide specialised cardiac treatment and reduce the need for patients from Assam and other northeastern states to seek advanced procedures outside the region.
The development adds a new capability to the region’s public healthcare infrastructure, with further expansion of specialised cardiac services planned at GMCH.