Sir H. N. Reliance Foundation Hospital (HNRFH), Mumbai, has unveiled India’s first Tele-Robotic Surgery Programme in partnership with the Dhirubhai Ambani Occupational Health (DAOH) & Community Medical Centre in Jamnagar. Enabled by Reliance Jio’s digital network, the initiative represents a major advancement in the delivery of remote, technology-driven surgical care across the country.
Under this programme, highly experienced surgeons based at HNRFH can remotely conduct and supervise robotic-assisted surgical procedures at affiliated hospitals nationwide. The model is designed to ensure that patients in non-metro and underserved regions can receive complex, precision-led surgical treatment without the burden of travelling long distances to major cities.
By leveraging advanced robotics and digital connectivity, the programme directly addresses long-standing access challenges in specialised healthcare. It significantly reduces delays in treatment and helps close the gap between urban centres and rural or remote communities.
The first procedure under the Tele-Robotic Surgery Programme was successfully carried out at the Community Medical Centre in Jamnagar, Gujarat, under the leadership of the hospital’s Director of Urology Oncology. This achievement marks an important milestone for telemedicine and robotic surgery in India.
The platform integrates state-of-the-art robotic technology with secure, high-speed, low-latency connectivity provided by Reliance Jio, ensuring real-time coordination, surgical precision, and clinical safety. A multidisciplinary team from HNRFH worked closely with the on-site medical staff, demonstrating an effective blend of technology, expertise, and teamwork. In addition to patient care, the programme also focuses on continuous training and skill enhancement for healthcare professionals in Jamnagar and nearby regions.
At an organisational level, the initiative reflects HNRFH’s focus on digital transformation and its broader goal of expanding access to specialised healthcare beyond metropolitan areas. The programme also aligns with the vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat, as it utilises an indigenously developed Indian robotic surgical system capable of real-time remote transmission.
Commenting on the launch, Dr Tarang Gianchandani, Group CEO – Healthcare Initiatives and Chief Executive Officer, Sir H. N. Reliance Foundation Hospital said, **“Advanced healthcare must not be limited by geography. For decades, specialised surgical care has remained concentrated in a few urban centres, leaving millions without timely access to treatment. Through our Tele-Robotic Surgery Programme, we are changing that reality by reimagining how complex surgical care is delivered across India – powered by indigenous innovation, advanced robotics, and secure digital infrastructure.
By enabling our surgeons in Mumbai to remotely perform procedures for patients across the country, we are taking world-class expertise to where it is needed most. This initiative reflects our belief that technology, guided by compassion and responsibility, must ultimately serve people – delivering excellence in care closer to home, with dignity, continuity, and trust.”**
Anish Shah, COO, Jio Platforms, added, “The Tele-Robotic Surgery Programme, at a remote location in Jamnagar, is a powerful demonstration of how Jio’s digital infrastructure can transform essential services at a national scale. Our vision has always been to build a connected, technologically empowered India where world-class expertise and critical services reach every citizen – no matter where they live. By providing the secure, ultra-low-latency connectivity required for remote robotic surgeries, we are helping redefine what equitable access to advanced healthcare can look like across the country. This collaboration shows how next-generation digital networks can unlock new possibilities in medicine by bridging distant geographies and bringing life-saving, high-precision care closer to patients. We are proud to support this milestone and remain committed to enabling innovations in far-flung areas that improve lives and strengthen India’s healthcare ecosystem.”
With the launch of this Tele-Robotic Surgery Programme, Sir H. N. Reliance Foundation Hospital and Reliance Jio have set a new benchmark for technology-enabled healthcare in India. By combining advanced robotics, indigenous innovation, and secure digital connectivity, the initiative not only transforms how complex surgeries are delivered but also brings equitable, world-class medical care closer to patients across the country—regardless of geography.
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