The Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) has recently standardised health policies across all health insurers to include coverage for robotic and bariatric surgeries. Bariatric surgery is an operation that facilitates weight loss by altering the digestive system. Simultaneously, India has made a notable achievement by being the first nation to successfully perform a telerobotic coronary operation on a human.
Understanding Robotics
Robotics represents the juncture of science, engineering, and technology which results in the creation of machines, known as robots, that can emulate or substitute human actions.
Applications of Robotics
The use of robotics extends across numerous sectors. In the industrial sector, robots, which are programmable and electronically controlled, are utilized to execute tasks accurately with high precision. Additionally, robots play a crucial role in aerospace for outer space exploration. Robotic arms controlled by humans also assist in launching satellites and building space stations from the docking cove of outer-space shuttles. Moreover, robots are capable of enduring harsh environments injurious to humans such as the atmosphere within a volcano or our deep marine life.
Robotic Surgery: A Leap in Healthcare Delivery
An anticipated advancement in healthcare is the usage of robots in surgical procedures. With technological progress, this is plausible even if the patient resides in far-off areas, thus, defying distance barriers. Robot-assisted surgery integrates advanced computer technology with skilled surgeons’ experience. The surgeon navigates surgical instruments that are smaller, flexible, and manoeuvrable than the human hand through controls in the console.
Advantages of Robotic Surgery
Robotic surgery simplifies complex procedures and augments doctors’ precision, flexibility, and control. It allows surgery through small ports, thereby reducing patient trauma caused by large incisions. Furthermore, they facilitate access to hard-to-reach areas of the body through minimal incisions, and this, in turn, accelerates recovery and shortens the hospital stay. Less pain, blood loss, and smaller scars are other notable benefits of robotic surgery.
Increasing Demand for Robotic Surgery
Factors fuelling the demand for robotic surgery include advancements in technology, prevalence of chronic diseases, high incidence of medical errors, and a growing demand for quicker recovery and decreased pain. Increased awareness about robot-assisted surgery benefits also contributes to its surging demand.
Hurdles to Growth: High Costs and Untrained Resources
Although robotic surgery holds promise, its growth is hampered by steep installation costs and a lack of trained surgeons. The instruments used are not only expensive but also incur recurring costs due to their disposable nature. Additionally, the sector faces a lack of competition as few companies manufacture robotic surgery equipment, making it challenging to augment its expansion in India’s healthcare system.
Robotic Surgery in India: Quality, Infrastructure, and Costs
India has emerged as a preferred destination for high-quality treatment worldwide, with numerous multi-specialty hospitals and patient-care centres. These healthcare institutions boast advanced infrastructure and state-of-the-art technologies for treating various critical illnesses. Besides providing top-quality services, India provides affordable treatment compared to countries like the U.S., U.K., and Canada.
The Way Forward
To capitalize on the potential of robotic surgery, the government should launch fellowship programs and provide structured training to surgical teams. With the rise in robotic surgeries, there will be a pressing need to train doctors to perform such procedures. Also, fostering collaboration between hospitals and insurance companies will go a long way in addressing the high cost of robotic surgeries.