A made-in-India surgical robot, the SSI Mantra, has been installed at Noble Hospitals and Research Centre in Pune. The Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation has approved this advanced robotic system that helps doctors perform complex surgeries with great precision.

Inaugurated by Marathi actor Prasad Oak, the robot has five robotic arms and has advanced features like a 3D HD headset for clear visuals and a 3D 4K vision cart for the surgical team. It will be used in many surgeries, including general, heart, urology, and gynecology procedures. Recently, the hospital conducted its first robotic surgery using the system—a procedure to treat a patient with colon cancer.

According to Dr. HK Sale, Executive Director of Noble Hospitals, "Robotic surgery has the advantage that every cut can be smaller, and the precision is higher than that of traditional methods. This is one of the reasons why it involves lesser pain, shorter hospital stay, and more speed in returning to normal activities."