Tech Leap in Mumbai: Andheri Man Undergoes Cancer Surgery Performed Remotely from 8,000 km Away

Mumbai | Undercover Editor News Channel

Mumbai:

In a breakthrough that highlights India’s rapidly evolving medical and digital capabilities, a 64-year-old resident of Andheri underwent prostate cancer surgery last week—performed not by a surgeon standing inside the operating theatre, but by a specialist sitting nearly 8,000 kilometres away in Shanghai.

The patient, identified as S Rahul (name changed), was operated on through a cutting-edge telerobotic surgical system, marking a major milestone in India’s healthcare journey. The procedure was remotely conducted by renowned onco-urologist Dr T B Yuvaraja, who controlled robotic arms via a high-speed, secure internet connection while the patient lay in an operating room at Kokilaben Ambani Hospital, Andheri.

“I was seated at a console in my consulting room in Shanghai and operating on the patient in Mumbai in real time,” Dr Yuvaraja explained. “The robotic system accurately translated my movements to the surgical arms in the operating theatre.”

A Near-Total Cure with a Global Touch

The surgery, which offers a near-total probability of cure, was completed successfully, and Rahul was discharged on the third day after the procedure, highlighting both the precision and safety of the technology.

This historic operation came just a day after another telerobotic surgery was conducted by doctors from HN Reliance Foundation Hospital, Girgaon, who performed a remote robotic procedure at a community medical centre in Jamnagar, Gujarat. Together, the back-to-back surgeries underscore how tele-enabled robotics is reshaping access to specialised healthcare across India.

Bridging the Urban–Rural Healthcare Divide

For decades, advanced surgical care remained limited to major metropolitan hospitals, forcing patients from smaller towns to travel long distances. According to Dr Tarang Gianchandani of HN Reliance Foundation Hospital, telerobotic surgery is changing that reality.

“This technology is reimagining how complex surgical care is delivered—powered by indigenous innovation, advanced robotics, and secure digital infrastructure,” she said.

Global estimates suggest that nearly five billion people lack access to safe and affordable surgical care, making the expansion of such technology a potential game-changer.

Made-in-India Innovation at the Core

India entered the field of telerobotic surgery only last year, and so far fewer than 200 such procedures have been performed nationwide. However, momentum is building. SS Innovations International Inc, which developed India’s first indigenous surgical robotic system—SSII Mantra—recently announced the completion of 100 robotic telesurgeries.

The newer generation of robotic systems also integrates artificial intelligence, enhancing precision and assisting surgeons during complex procedures.

Cost, Safety and the Road Ahead

While the use of robotic arms can add ₹1–2 lakh to the cost of surgery, doctors believe overall expenses may reduce for patients and families by eliminating travel, accommodation, and extended hospital stays.

“If I operate from Mumbai on a patient in Indore, the patient and family don’t need to travel. In many cases, the total cost comes down,” Dr Yuvaraja noted.

Despite its promise, challenges remain—including costs, legal frameworks, and cybersecurity concerns—but medical experts agree that telerobotic surgery represents the future of healthcare delivery.

A Glimpse of Tomorrow’s Medicine

Rahul’s surgery stands as more than just a medical success—it is a glimpse into a future where distance no longer limits access to world-class healthcare, and where technology connects patients to life-saving expertise across continents.