Kolkata| 1st July 2026:
Manipal Hospitals Kolkata on Tuesday organised an advanced Robotic Simulation Workshop, offering doctors, academicians & healthcare professionals a first-hand look at the latest developments in robotic-assisted surgery. Held under the theme “The Future is Here with Robotic Surgery at Manipal Hospitals,” the event highlighted how next-generation robotic technology is transforming surgical care by improving precision, control & patient outcomes.
The programme was inaugurated by Dr. Ayanabh Debgupta, Regional Director, Manipal Hospitals East. The event was attended by Prof. (Dr.) Dilip Kumar Pratihar, Head of the Department of Mechanical Engineering at IIT Kharagpur, as the Chief Guest, and Prof. (Dr.) Sushmita Mitra, renowned AI researcher & academician, as the Special Guest Senior doctors from Manipal Hospitals spoke on the growing role of robotics across multiple medical specialties. Dr. Kunal Sarkar discussed its applications in cardiothoracic and general surgery, while Dr. Sourav Datta highlighted advances in robotic-assisted cancer surgery. Experts also shared insights into robotic procedures in orthopaedics, urology, uro-oncology & gynaecology.
The workshop also marked the introduction of a new team of robotic surgeons at the Manipal Hospitals Salt Lake Cluster, who will lead robotic-assisted surgical care across specialties including gastrointestinal surgery, obstetrics & gynaecology, surgical gastroenterology and cardiothoracic surgery.
Addressing the gathering, Prof. Pratihar said the integration of robotics with medicine is significantly improving surgical precision, efficiency and patient outcomes. He noted that advanced systems such as Da Vinci Xi, Mako, ROSA and Velys demonstrate the growing collaboration between engineering and healthcare.
Prof. Mitra emphasised that artificial intelligence and robotics are designed to support clinicians rather than replace them. She said technological innovation, combined with ethical medical practice & human judgement, will shape the future of patient-centric healthcare.
A major attraction of the event was the Robotic Simulation Lab, where participants witnessed demonstrations of robotic platforms including Mako, Velys, ROSA and Da Vinci Xi. The systems showcased their applications in joint replacement and minimally invasive surgeries, highlighting improved surgical planning, precision and faster recovery for patients.
Speaking on robotic-assisted oncology, Dr. Sourav Datta said the technology enables surgeons to perform complex cancer surgeries with greater accuracy while reducing blood loss, post-operative pain and recovery time.
Dr. Vikas Kapoor highlighted the impact of robotics in orthopaedic surgery, stating that Manipal Hospitals EM Bypass has performed more than 1,500 robotic knee replacement surgeries over the past two years, leading to better implant positioning, faster rehabilitation & improved patient mobility.
The workshop concluded with live demonstrations, expert interactions and hands-on simulation sessions, providing participants with practical exposure to the latest robotic surgical technologies. Manipal Hospitals said the initiative reflects its commitment to expanding access to advanced, precision-based healthcare and strengthening the future of robotic-assisted surgery in eastern India.
