Governor of Kerala inaugurates robotic-assisted surgery block at Medical Trust Hospital, Kochi

New Delhi: The Governor of Kerala, Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar, inaugurated the Robotic-Assisted Surgery (RAS) Block at Medical Trust Hospital, Kochi, marking a significant advancement in the institution’s surgical capabilities.

P Rajeev, The Minister for Industries and Law, Government of Kerala, Hibi Eden MP, TJ Vinod MLA, Dr. PV Thomas, Medical and Commercial Director- Medical Trust Hospital, PP Xavier, Finance Director- Medical Trust Hospital were also present at the event.

Established over five decades ago, Medical Trust has built a reputation as a reliable multispecialty hospital in Kerala, serving patients a wide range of clinical services.

With the addition of new robotic surgery block, the hospital currently has 1000 beds and 17 operating rooms, all designed to support high-precision procedures using advanced da Vinci technology. These facilities are equipped to enhance the precision and efficiency of procedures, particularly in the fields of Surgical Oncology, Gynecology, Gastroenterology, Urology, and several other disciplines. In addition, the hospital will strengthen its focus on kidney transplantation, integrating robotic assistance into transplant-related surgical workflows where applicable. The hospital is also planning to open two new blocks for mother & child care, and oncology, soon.

Speaking at the event, Dr. P.V. Louis, Managing Director of Medical Trust Hospital, commented, “The inauguration of our new robotic-assisted surgery block, featuring the da Vinci system, marks a major step forward in making advanced surgical care more accessible to the people of Kerala. This cutting-edge technology enables us to deliver highly precise procedures with faster recovery times, helping more patients benefit from advanced minimally invasive care. We are deeply grateful to the Hon’ble Governor of Kerala for inaugurating this facility and supporting our mission to bring world-class healthcare within reach of more communities.

The hospital has a bunch of surgeons trained in robotic-assisted surgery, making it one of the few institutions in the region with a team capable of consistently delivering robotic procedures across multiple specialties. The RAS block is also integrated into the hospital’s academic and teaching programs, ensuring that medical students and surgical trainees gain early exposure to robotic systems and are trained in modern surgical methods.

The hospital has also worked to keep treatment costs relatively low, offering robotic-assisted surgeries at rates estimated to be much lower than those at comparable tertiary hospitals in Kerala. This approach aims to make advanced surgical care more accessible to a wider patient population without compromising on quality or safety.

“Robotic-assisted surgery has the potential to significantly improve patient outcomes, especially as the state faces a growing burden of non-communicable diseases. With smaller incisions, less blood loss, faster recovery times, and enhanced surgical precision, patients benefit from quicker return to normal life and fewer complications. These advantages are critical in high-demand specialties like oncology, cardiology, and gynecology, where accuracy can directly impact survival and quality of life. In a healthcare system already under pressure, RAS also supports long-term care delivery by minimizing post-operative stays and reducing the likelihood of readmission,” Dr. P.V. Louis, added.

With the launch of the RAS block, Medical Trust Hospital continues its evolution as a center for advanced healthcare, combining long-standing experience with modern surgical practices to meet the needs of patients across Kerala and beyond.