Robotic surgeries likely to be covered under CMCHIS

“We are offering a coverage of cancer therapy, stem cell transplant, liver transplant and other surgeries under CMCHIS already. Thus, robotic surgeries could also be offered under the scheme and the government would consider to include them under CMCHIS,” said the Health Minister. He added that the Apollo’s spine institute is a major advancement in the health sector as it is the first of its kind facility in a corporate hospital in the country. “This advancement would help to reduce instances of infections, implant inaccuracies, revision surgeries, radiation exposures, and patient’s length of stay at the facility,” he said.

The institute is constructed at the cost of Rs 7.5 crore and offers specialised spine service that gives 360-degree care using Exelsius GPS Spine Surgery Robot, an advanced robotics system. A 31-year-old patient with spinal deformity would be the first patient to undergo the spine procedure through a corrective spine surgery, treated free of cost. Two other patients too would be treated later. The Apollo Institute of Spine Surgery would be led by chief spine surgeon Dr Sajan Hegde.