Can Rural India Lead the Future of Robotic Heart Surgery? International experts gather at One World One Family Mission’s free medical college. Experts say robotic surgeries can be performed at one-fifth the cost.
Sathya Sai Grama, Karnataka: The Sri Madhusudan Sai Institute of Medical Sciences and Research (SMSIMSR), the India’s first free private rural medical college under the One World One Family Mission, concluded the two-day International Endoscopic & Robotic Cardiac Surgery Conference (IERCSC 2026), bringing together leading cardiac surgeons, researchers and academicians from across the world to advance innovation in minimally invasive and robotic heart surgery.
Organised by SMSIMSR under the One World One Family Mission, in association with Manipal Hospitals and SS Innovations, the conference attracted renowned cardiac surgeons, medical professionals and students from India, the United States, Greece, Germany, Brazil, China, Vietnam, Malaysia, Ukraine and several other countries. The event served as a global platform for exchanging knowledge, showcasing advanced surgical techniques and strengthening international collaboration in cardiac surgery.
A major highlight of the conference was the successful demonstration of live remote robotic cardiac surgery. Dr. Sudhir Srivastava, Founder and Chairman of SS Innovations, remotely performed a complex robotic cardiac procedure from Delhi on a patient at SMSIMSR using the indigenous SSI Mantra robotic platform. Live surgical transmissions from Coimbatore and Greece also enabled delegates to interact with operating teams in real time. All the patients are recovering well.
The conference featured scientific sessions on the latest advances in endoscopic and robotic cardiac surgery, including robotic valve replacement, valve repair, coronary artery bypass surgery and minimally invasive procedures. Surgeons from leading hospitals and universities across the world exchanged experiences and discussed technologies that are reshaping the future of cardiac care.
The second day was devoted to hands-on surgical training, with more than 100 senior cardiac surgeons receiving practical training in endoscopic and robotic cardiac surgery using bovine and porcine heart models under the guidance of international experts. The programme provided participants with practical exposure to advanced surgical techniques that are currently available only at a limited number of centres globally. Another highlight of the conference was the panel discussion on “How India Can Become a Global Hub for Endoscopic and Robotic Cardiac Surgery Training.” Experts emphasised the need to strengthen specialised training, promote indigenous innovation and expand access to robotic surgery.
Organisers noted that comparable international training programmes typically cost between ₹18 lakh and ₹20 lakh, whereas the entire programme at SMSIMSR, under the One World One Family Mission, was offered completely free of charge. To strengthen long-term academic collaboration, SMSIMSR, Manipal Hospitals, Kolkata, and SS Innovations signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to organise the conference once every two years and jointly promote education, research and training in endoscopic and robotic cardiac surgery.
Addressing the gathering, Sadguru Sri Madhusudan Sai, Founder of the One World One Family Mission and SMSIMSR said medical education should nurture compassionate doctors alongside skilled clinicians. “Ten years ago, this region had very limited infrastructure. Today, it has evolved into a global centre for medical education, research and rural healthcare. Through the One World One Family Mission, we remain committed to making world-class medical education and healthcare accessible to everyone, irrespective of their financial background,” he said.
Speaking at the conference, Dr. C. S. Hiremath, Organising Secretary, said the objective was to create an international academic platform where surgeons could learn directly from global experts while gaining practical exposure to advanced surgical technologies. Dr. Sudhir Srivastava said indigenous robotic technology has the potential to transform cardiac care by making advanced procedures more accessible and affordable.
Highlighting the impact of indigenous innovation, Dr. Nitin Rajput, one of the first surgeons to perform cardiac surgery using the Indian-developed SSI Mantra robotic system, said affordability would be the biggest driver of wider adoption. The conference concluded with a shared commitment among leading surgeons and institutions to expand global collaboration, strengthen surgical education and accelerate the adoption of endoscopic and robotic technologies. Organisers said the entire conference and advanced surgical training programme were offered free of charge by the One World One Family Mission, reaffirming its commitment to making world-class medical education and cutting-edge healthcare accessible to all.
