Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar, Governor of Kerala, inaugurated the Robotic-Assisted Surgery (RAS) Block at Medical Trust Hospital. P Rajeev, 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. Medical Trust Hospital is a multispecialty hospital in Kerala, established over five decades ago.
With the addition of a 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, gynaecology, gastroenterology, urology, and several other disciplines. In addition, the hospital aims to 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 and child care, and oncology, soon.
The hospital has several surgeons trained in robotic-assisted surgery, capable of delivering robotic procedures across multiple specialties. The RAS block is also integrated into the hospital’s academic and teaching programmes, 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.
Speaking at the event, Dr P V Louis, Managing Director, Medical Trust Hospital, commented, “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 gynaecology, 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 minimising post-operative stays and reducing the likelihood of readmission.”