Mumbai’s JJ Hospital has completed 301 robotic surgeries in about 18 months, marking a significant expansion of advanced surgical care within Maharashtra’s public healthcare system, according to a report by Loksatta. The hospital began its robotic surgery programme in April 2025 after the state Medical Education Department spent ₹32 crore to procure the technology system.
The first robotic procedure was performed on April 9, 2025. Since then, the facility has been used for surgeries across general surgery, gastrointestinal surgery, urology, obstetrics and gynaecology, the report said. The procedures have included gallbladder removal, rectopexy, fundoplication, choledochal cyst surgery, thymectomy, abdominal wall reconstruction and pancreaticojejunostomy.
The programme has enabled patients from Maharashtra and other parts of India to access minimally invasive procedures at a government hospital. Robotic surgery systems provide surgeons with an enlarged three-dimensional view, greater control over instruments and enhanced movement precision. These features can support complex procedures through smaller incisions, although the report did not provide comparative data on patient outcomes, recovery times or costs.
Medtronic has recognised JJ Hospital as a centre of excellence for robotic surgery. The recognition was attributed to the hospital’s growing expertise, coordination across departments, training and educational work. The report did not specify the assessment criteria or whether the recognition includes additional equipment, training support or a formal institutional partnership.
The programme has been led by hospital dean and professor Dr Ajay Bhandarwar. Its operating teams include surgeons, anaesthetists, nurses, operating-room staff and other healthcare workers from multiple departments. The general surgery robotic team includes Dr Bhandarwar, Dr Girish Bakshi, Dr P. D. Nिचत, Dr Tungenwar, Dr Aftab Sheikh, Dr Waqar Ansari, Dr Kavita Jadhav, Dr Priya Ahire, Dr Shraddha Dhende, Dr Amol Wagh, Dr Kashif Ansari, Dr Supriya Bhondve, Dr Chandrakant, Dr Manikantha and Dr Ravi Landगे, according to the report.
The urology department’s contribution included Dr Amol Kamble, while Dr Kalyankar and Dr Pophale were associated with the gynaecology department. Anaesthetists Dr Usha Badole, Dr Bharat Shah and Dr Bhairavi were also credited with supporting the programme.
JJ Hospital’s milestone comes as public hospitals increasingly seek to provide specialised care alongside their traditional role in delivering affordable medical services. The hospital and the state medical education authorities have not, in the supplied report, announced the programme’s next expansion target, additional investment plans or a public assessment of its clinical and financial performance.
