In a significant step towards strengthening tertiary healthcare in Eastern India, Union Health Minister Jagat Prakash Nadda virtually inaugurated a new Liver Transplant Unit and an Advanced Robotic Surgery System at AIIMS Bhubaneswar, marking a major milestone for healthcare infrastructure in Odisha and neighbouring states.

The inauguration ceremony was attended by Member of Parliament Aparajita Sarangi and Union Health Secretary Punya Salila Srivastava, among other senior officials and medical professionals.

Describing the development as a historic moment, the Union Health Minister said the institute has rapidly evolved into a centre of excellence in tertiary care, medical research, and academic excellence. He noted that the addition of a comprehensive liver transplant programme and cutting-edge robotic surgical technology would significantly enhance access to advanced and life-saving treatments for patients across Odisha and the eastern region.

The minister highlighted that while the institute has already been conducting kidney and bone marrow transplants, the launch of the liver transplant programme marks a new chapter in strengthening advanced healthcare services. He also underlined the national priority given to organ donation, recalling the Prime Minister’s appeal to transform organ donation into a mass movement and stating that the facility aligns with this broader vision.

According to officials, the liver transplant unit is expected to make treatment for end-stage liver disease more accessible to patients not only from Odisha but also from neighbouring states such as West Bengal and Assam. The facility is designed to benefit economically weaker and disadvantaged patients by reducing the need for costly long-distance travel for advanced procedures.

The institute has established a dedicated liver transplant operation theatre, a modern intensive care unit equipped with advanced medical technology, and a specialty clinic for structured post-transplant follow-up care. Authorities confirmed that two liver transplants have already been successfully performed, with both patients recovering well, indicating the institute’s growing clinical capability in complex procedures.

Emphasizing the collaborative effort behind the achievement, the minister credited surgical gastroenterologists, clinicians, nurses, technicians, and support staff for their coordinated teamwork in conducting these highly specialized surgeries.

In addition to the transplant unit, the commissioning of the surgical robotic system marks a technological leap in public healthcare. With this development, AIIMS Bhubaneswar has become the first government medical institution in Odisha to operationalize a comprehensive robotic surgery programme. The robotic platform will initially support procedures in urology, gynaecology, paediatric surgery, and other specialties, offering greater surgical precision, reduced blood loss, shorter hospital stays, and faster patient recovery.

Officials stated that the robotic surgery programme will also help patients access advanced minimally invasive procedures within the state, reducing the need to travel to metropolitan centres for high-end surgical care.

Speaking at the event, MP Aparajita Sarangi said the institute has emerged as a role model among AIIMS institutions, consistently achieving milestones in healthcare delivery, medical education, and research. She added that the introduction of transplant and robotic surgery facilities reflects a shift towards innovation-driven, technology-enabled, and patient-centric public healthcare.

The Union Health Secretary noted that life-saving transplant services will be provided under schemes such as the Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY) and the Rashtriya Arogya Nidhi, ensuring financial protection for economically disadvantaged patients. She also highlighted that the ongoing “Angdaan Jeevan Sanjeevani Abhiyaan” aims to promote organ donation nationwide and strengthen India’s transplant ecosystem.

Senior officials from the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, including institute leadership and administrative representatives, participated in the ceremony, with the AIIMS Bhubaneswar team joining virtually.

Concluding his address, the Union Health Minister expressed confidence in the institute’s future growth and urged faculty and staff to continue delivering compassionate, patient-centric, and high-quality healthcare while sustaining the momentum of excellence achieved over the past decade.