Guwahati has marked a major milestone in healthcare with the Northeast’s first robotic cardiac surgeries at Gauhati Medical College and Hospital (GMCH). Three patients successfully underwent robotic heart procedures at the hospital’s CN Centre on September 25 and 26, 2026. The landmark procedures were conducted as part of a two-day Cardiac Robotic Surgery Workshop.
The surgeries included a robotic bypass operation, robotic heart-valve replacement and a procedure to treat an atrial septal defect (ASD), a congenital hole in the heart. The procedures were performed under the supervision of cardiac surgeon Dr Ritwick Raj Bhuyan, with the GMCH cardiothoracic surgery team. Unlike conventional open-heart surgery, robotic techniques can be performed through smaller incisions, potentially supporting faster recovery.
The September 25–26 workshop also focused on training GMCH doctors in robotic technology and modern cardiac-surgery techniques. Assam Health and Family Welfare Minister Ashok Singhal attended the programme and highlighted the importance of bringing advanced medical treatment closer to patients in the state. The introduction of robotic cardiac surgery places Guwahati at the forefront of advanced cardiac-care initiatives in the Northeast.
