In a significant boost to healthcare infrastructure in Odisha and Eastern India, AIIMS Bhubaneswar has officially launched its comprehensive Liver Transplant Programme and a cutting-edge Surgical Robotic System.
The virtual inauguration was led by Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare, Jagat Prakash Nadda, on February 23, 2026, with Bhubaneswar MP Aparajita Sarangi and Union Health Secretary Punya Salila Srivastava in attendance.
Describing the event as a “momentous and historic occasion,” Nadda praised AIIMS Bhubaneswar for evolving into a centre of excellence in tertiary healthcare, medical research, and education. He emphasised that these new facilities will enhance access to world-class treatments, particularly for patients in Odisha, West Bengal, Assam, and neighbouring states. “These additions will significantly strengthen the healthcare infrastructure and elevate the quality of healthcare delivery,” Nadda stated, congratulating the team for building on existing successes in kidney and bone marrow transplants.
The launch aligns with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s call to promote organ donation as a mass movement. Nadda noted that the timing, shortly after the national appeal, underscores the institute’s commitment to this cause. The Liver Transplant Unit features a state-of-the-art operation theater, a 10-bed advanced Intensive Care Unit (ICU), and a dedicated speciality clinic for post-transplant care. Two successful liver transplants have already been performed, with patients recovering well and resuming normal lives.
Nadda highlighted the program’s focus on affordability, especially for economically disadvantaged patients, reducing the need for long-distance travel. Services are integrated with schemes like Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY) and Rashtriya Arogya Nidhi, ensuring comprehensive care without financial burden.
The Surgical Robotic System marks AIIMS Bhubaneswar as the first government medical institution in Odisha to offer such advanced technology. It will initially support specialities including Urology, Gynaecology, Paediatric Surgery, and General Surgery, enabling minimally invasive procedures with benefits like reduced blood loss, shorter hospital stays, and faster recovery. “This reflects a broader vision to integrate advanced medical technologies into public healthcare and democratize access to high-end surgical care,” Nadda added.
Bhubaneswar MP Aparajita Sarangi lauded the institute as a role model for other AIIMS facilities, aligning the developments with the Prime Minister’s vision of innovation-driven healthcare. Union Health Secretary Punya Salila Srivastava emphasised the role of organ donation campaigns like “Angdaan Jeevan Sanjeevani Abhiyaan” and the Prime Minister’s Mann Ki Baat appeals in inspiring public participation.
Dr. Ashutosh Biswas, Executive Director of AIIMS Bhubaneswar, expressed gratitude to the Union Health Minister and his team for their support. He felicitated the donors and outlined the robotic program’s scope for complex procedures.
The event was also attended by Dr. Anita Saxena, President of AIIMS Bhubaneswar, Joint Secretary Ankita Mishra Bundela from the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, and other senior officials. This milestone is expected to transform healthcare delivery, making advanced treatments more accessible and equitable in the region.
