Atal Institute of Medical Super Specialties to be Himachal's first to perform robotic surgery
The Atal Institute of Medical Super Specialities (AIMSS) at Chamiyana in Shimla is set to become the first medical institute in Himachal Pradesh to introduce surgeries using cutting-edge robotic technology. A state-of-the-art surgical robot — procured at a cost of Rs 28 crore on the lines of AIIMS Delhi — has already arrived at the institute. The installation process is expected to be completed by July, following which robotic-assisted surgeries will commence.
Dr Brij Lal, principal, AIMSS Chamiyana, said that robotic surgery will offer significant benefits to both patients and doctors. 'Robotic procedures require only small incisions, resulting in minimal blood loss, reduced need for transfusions, and faster recovery for patients. They experience less pain and are discharged sooner,' he said.
Doctors too will gain from the technology, as robotic systems enhance surgical precision and control. 'Surgeons experience less fatigue, even during prolonged operations, enabling them to perform more procedures efficiently. The technology provides a clear, magnified 3D view of narrow and complex areas within the body, significantly reducing the risk of errors,' Lal added.
Meanwhile, a government spokesperson said in a bid to further strengthen healthcare infrastructure in Himachal Pradesh, Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu is set to visit Dr Rajendra Prasad Government Medical College (RPGMC), Tanda. As part of the visit, a detailed presentation will be made on the ongoing and proposed improvements in medical services and infrastructure at the institute. 'The CM will also engage in an interactive session with the faculty members to gather feedback and suggestions, focusing on enhancing healthcare delivery at this key medical institution,' the spokesperson added.
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Economic Times
an hour ago
- Economic Times
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Bulge-bracket private equity funds are increasingly investing in single-specialty Indian hospital chains that present a robust growth potential in emerging consuming centers, significantly widening the addressable market beyond their traditional metropolitan bailiwicks, ET had reported in locations, such as Lucknow , Vizag, Jaipur, Cochin, Siliguri, Guwahati, Bhubaneswar and Patna, private equity investors believe, hold great growth potential in healthcare, in lockstep with an increasing affordability quotient in tier- 2 or 3 towns, and a greater availability of qualified doctors and specialists. PE funds are looking for players that will give higher returns - and blockbuster exits when the investments run their course. ADVERTISEMENT 'A trifecta of factors is helping accelerate investor interest in the single specialty healthcare chains including significant growth opportunity in tier 2/3 cities, clearly visible unit economics and viability with best in class ROIs,' Vishal Bali, executive chairman, Asia Healthcare Holdings (AHH), a leading healthcare investment platform, with focus on single specialities like oncology, women and child care, fertility, urology and nephrology, had told ET. 'AHH has been the inflection point for Single speciality healthcare with all our companies in single speciality healthcare delivering consistent growth in revenues, ebitda and geographical reach along with ROIs' he PE monies in treatment areas such as IVF, nephrology, eye-care, oncology, mother & childcare among others, have become a credible prescription for future value creation, after nearly a decade-long hunt for multi-speciality assets across the country. According to an analysis done by Avendus, single-speciality hospitals account for over 40% of all PE investments in healthcare since 2019. This was just a bit over 15% between 2015 and 2018. Between 2020 and early 2025, the segment recorded 24 PE/VC investments totalling $1.8 billion, with 19 of those deals worth $1.2 billion closing in the last two years alone, shows data put together by Grant Thornton. ADVERTISEMENT Over the period of two years from 2022-24 Hospitals in India have become one of the preferred investment destination for Investors, attracting net investment of $4.96 billion from Private Equity and $3.2 billion through Foreign Direct Investment (FDI). ADVERTISEMENT As per a report prepared by consultancy firm Grant Thornton Bharat in collaboration with the Association of Healthcare providers of India (AHPI), from 2022-24 hospitals in India undertook M&A deals worth $6.74 billion and attracted $4.96 billion from Private Equity (PE) investors. 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The trend also reflects a strengthening investor preference for hospitals, alongside the traditionally favoured pharmaceuticals strong private equity interest in India's healthcare services companies is a highly credible indicator of the multi-decade growth potential inherent in the sector, as per a top executive at European investment bank Rothschild & Co. "We expect to see expansion of interest as international players evaluate the market and get more comfortable with the domestic landscape," Hedley Goldberg, partner and global head of healthcare services at Rothschild & Co, told ET in an interview in January. Besides a number of private equity deals, the hospital sector is also attracting big Indian businesses. While several corporates such as Tata, Birla and Hinduja have a presence in healthcare, none has made a significant pan-India presence. But the Bajaj Group is preparing to enter the healthcare sector by setting up a chain of hospitals in metros across the country., ET had reported last year. As per Bloomberg, it has earmarked Rs 10,000 crore as an initial investment. In recent years, healthcare companies and hospitals in India have been increasingly focussing on acquiring buildings and properties to expand their operations and strengthen their market presence. This trend is driven by the rising demand for quality healthcare services in urban and semi-urban areas, fuelled by a growing population, increasing health awareness and better insurance coverage. In December last year, billionaire Mukesh Ambani's Reliance Industries acquired technology-driven and oncology-focused healthcare platform Karkinos for Rs 375 crore. Reliance bought it under the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (IBC). The healthcare sector, particularly hospitals, witnessed major expansion during the Covid-19 pandemic. 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NDTV
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News18
2 hours ago
- News18
Silent Epidemic: Shefali Jariwala's Death Sparks Alarm Over Growing Heart Ailments In Young Indians
Last Updated: Data and doctors reveal a deeper and far more widespread crisis: a growing epidemic of cardiovascular disease affecting Indians – not only rich but also poor in far-flung areas. The sudden death of television actress and model Shefali Jariwala, popularly known as the ' Kaanta Laga girl," at the age of 42 due to cardiac arrest has once again stirred public concern over the rising incidence of heart-related ailments in India. While such cases involving young celebrities make headlines, data and doctors reveal a deeper and far more widespread crisis: a growing epidemic of cardiovascular disease affecting Indians – not only rich but also poor in far-flung areas. Heart ailments no more a rich man's disease According to the latest data under the central government's flagship Ayushman Bharat (PM-JAY) scheme, the maximum number of claims are for an angioplasty procedure that involves putting stents in the arteries of the heart to remove blockages, which could prove fatal. The scheme serves as health insurance for the bottom 40 per cent population of India – who are extremely poor and vulnerable, busting the myth that heart ailment is a rich man's disease. The data shows that a whopping Rs 1051 crore has been spent by way of claims under the scheme so far on the procedure named 'PTCA inclusive of diagnostic angiogram'. This is the procedure to perform angioplasty after an angiography is conducted that shows blockages in one's heart. As many as 1.05 lakh patients across the country have undergone this procedure under Ayushman Bharat scheme, implying a spend of Rs 1.05 lakh per patient. In comparison, chronic haemodialysis, though more common with over 15 lakh cases, has led to a lower cumulative spend of Rs 560 crore. The figures clearly indicate that cardiac procedures, though fewer in number, demand significantly higher financial resources — underlining the scale and severity of India's growing heart problem. In fact, several published studies highlight urban versus rural shift of heart ailments. Urban CHD (coronary heart disease) prevalence climbed from roughly 1 per cent in 1960 to 9–10 per cent in 2016 and rural prevalence went from less than 1 per cent to 4–6 per cent, according to a study titled 'Trends in Coronary Heart Disease Epidemiology in India" published in medical journal ScienceDirect. A 9-fold increase in urban CHD over four decades and around 2-fold in rural areas highlights rapid lifestyle transition. 'Five-fold increase in heart procedures" Cardiologists across India are reporting a dramatic surge in cardiac emergencies, especially among young adults. Dr Asit Khanna, Principal Consultant and Director, Cath Lab and Cardiology, Yashoda Super Speciality Hospitals, Kaushambi, told News18, 'The heart-related procedures at my facility have increased 5-fold in 7 years. It was 50 cases in 2018 (when I joined Yashoda), now it's 250 cases per month." Dr Prashant Pawar, Consultant Cardiology at Fortis Hiranandani Hospital, Vashi, also noted a worrying trend. 'Cardiovascular diseases have increased over the past 5 years. On average between 2016-2020, I used to see around 30 to 40 heart attack cases in a month. Over the past 3-4 years I see around 60-70 heart attacks cases in a month. Out of these heart attacks, 30-40 per cent patients are below 40 years and have blood clots (they have more thrombus)," he said. The picture emerging from these accounts is alarming: more young Indians are suffering from heart attacks, and when they do, their condition is often more severe. Supporting this clinical experience is market data from research firm Pharmarack, which confirms that cardiac drugs are now the top-selling segment in India's pharmaceutical market. The segment has grown at a steady 5-year CAGR of 10 per cent, and antihypertensive medications now make up half of all cardiac-related drug sales. What's more concerning is that categories associated with more serious cardiac complications and hospitalisations are growing in double digits. 'Drug sales patterns indicate a disturbing shift in age trends, with cardiac problems increasingly affecting people in the 30–40-year age group, compared to the 50–60-year age bracket in earlier decades," said Sheetal Sapale, vice president, commercial, Pharmarack. The data shows that the sales of heart failure therapies stood at Rs 717 crore in May 2021, which jumped to Rs 1322 crore in May 2025 — almost doubling in four years. India's 'Silent Epidemic' of NCDs The Apollo Hospitals' Health of the Nation 2024 report labels the spike in noncommunicable diseases (NCDs), especially cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), as a 'silent epidemic." According to the report, CVD cases in India jumped from 380 lakh in 2005 to 641 lakh in 2015 — and the number continues to rise. Apollo's annual report 2023-2024 shows that in 2019, lifestyle-linked risks such as unhealthy diet, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and obesity contributed to 27 per cent of India's total disease burden, compared to 21% in 2010. These risks are directly linked to conditions like ischemic heart disease and stroke. About the Author Himani Chandna Himani Chandna, Associate Editor at CNN News18, specialises in healthcare and pharmaceuticals. With firsthand insights into India's COVID-19 battle, she brings a seasoned perspective. She is particularly More Get breaking news, in-depth analysis, and expert perspectives on everything from politics to crime and society. Stay informed with the latest India news only on News18. Download the News18 App to stay updated! First Published:
