Argus News - JP Nadda Inaugurates Liver Transplant Unit & Robotic Surgery System At AIIMS Bhubaneswar

Bhubaneswar/ New Delhi, Feb 23: In a landmark development transforming the healthcare landscape of Odisha and Eastern India, AIIMS Bhubaneswar has successfully established a comprehensive Liver Transplant Programme and commissioned a state-of-the-art Surgical Robotic System. Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare, Jagat Prakash Nadda virtually inaugurated the Liver Transplant Unit and formally launched the Advanced Robotic Surgery System at the Institute on Monday, officials said.

Speaking on the occasion, Nadda said,  “it is a momentous and historic occasion, marking a proud milestone in the journey of AIIMS Bhubaneswar, which has rapidly developed into a centre of excellence in tertiary healthcare, pioneering medical research and delivering high-quality academic programmes.”

The Health Minister added, “these additions would significantly strengthen the healthcare infrastructure and elevate the quality of healthcare delivery, enabling access to advanced, world-class, life-saving treatments for patients across Odisha and neighbouring states.” 

The new liver transplant unit is expected to provide advanced treatment for end-stage liver disease to patients across Odisha, West Bengal, Assam, and neighbouring states.

Nadda emphasized that the programme aligns with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of promoting organ donation as a national movement. He noted that economically weaker patients would benefit from affordable transplant care under schemes such as PM-JAY and Rashtriya Arogya Nidhi.

AIIMS Bhubaneswar has already performed two successful liver transplants, with both patients recovering well. The institute has established a specialized modular operation theatre, a 10-bedded intensive care unit, and a dedicated liver transplant clinic for structured follow-up care. Officials said the comprehensive ecosystem ensures seamless treatment, recovery, and long-term monitoring.

The commissioning of the robotic surgery system makes AIIMS Bhubaneswar the first government medical institution in Odisha to operationalize a full-fledged robotic surgery programme. The platform will initially cover Urology, General Surgery, Gynaecology, and Paediatric Surgery. Doctors said robotic procedures will improve surgical precision, reduce blood loss, shorten hospital stays, and minimize the need for patients to travel outside the state for advanced care.

Nadda congratulated the institute’s medical and non-medical staff for their coordinated efforts in achieving this milestone. He said the additions would significantly strengthen healthcare infrastructure and elevate the quality of delivery, enabling access to advanced, world-class treatments for patients across Odisha and neighbouring states.

Also Read: AIIMS Bhubaneswar Ranked No. 1 in Health Record Linkage under ABDM

Addressing the gathering, Bhubaneswar MP Aparajita Sarangi praised AIIMS Bhubaneswar as a role model among AIIMS institutions, while Union Health Secretary Punya Salila Srivastava emphasized that the new facilities would serve as a “Jeevan Sanjeevani” for countless patients. She recalled the Prime Minister’s repeated calls for organ donation and expressed confidence that the initiative would motivate citizens to contribute to the cause.

Dr. Anita Saxena, President, AIIMS Bhubaneswar; Ankita Mishra Bundela, Joint Secretary, MoHFW and senior officers of the Ministry were also present on the occasion. Dr. Ashutosh Biswas, Executive Director, AIIMS Bhubaneswar and the team of AIIMS Bhubaneswar joined the event online from the institute.