Srinagar: The Postgraduate Department of Surgery, Government Medical College Srinagar organised a three-day training workshop on robotic surgery at a private hotel in Jammu and Kashmir's Srinagar. The event, titled 'Hands-on Workshop in Robotic Surgery', started on July 15 and is currently underway at Hotel Four-Point Sheraton in Srinagar.
The workshop aims to give hands-on experience to the Kashmiri medical fraternity over the technology used in modern surgeries along with robot-assisted procedures to treat patients. According to doctors, the advent of modern technology and machinery into surgeries will contribute to better and easy access for treatment.
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According to Prof. Dr Syed Mushtaq Ahmad Shah, who works at the Department of Surgery in the Government Medical College Srinagar, said that these modern machines can bring in a revolution of sorts as they can be operated remotely and the surgeon does not have to worry about precautionary measures used during surgeries including gowns and other devices. The facility helps in operating patients virtually, minimizing the risk.
"Only internet access is important. Before conducting a surgery, we have to ensure that we have a strong internet connection if the surgeon is away from the hospital. In case, if the operation is being done in the same hospital, there will be no difficulty," Dr Shah said. Talking to ETV Bharat, Prof Dr Mufti Mahmood Ahmad, HoD Department of Surgery in the Government Medical College Srinagar, said that the greatest advantage of robotic surgery is that it can be operated by a surgeon of any age.
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Dr Ahmad said, "Generally, elderly and experienced doctors do not perform the surgery themselves due to age-related issues. But now they too will be able to do it easily".
Explaining how a robotic machine is operated, he said, "Doctors in foreign countries may be invited for remote surgery. The console of the machine can be placed in one hospital and the surgery can be held in another hospital. There are some places in the human body where our hands and tools cannot reach, but this robotic equipment can reach those parts very easily. We hope that the results will be better."
Speaking about the cost of the machine, Dr Ahmad said, "At present, there are only 12 such machines in India. We have got this machine for training the surgeons of Kashmir. The cost of these machines can range from Rs 20 to 25 crore."
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