Dr. Preetha Reddy, Vice Chairperson of Apollo Hospitals, highlighted the importance of adopting advanced medical technologies, particularly robotic-assisted surgery, in addressing India's growing burden of gynaecological diseases. She was speaking at the inaugural ceremony of the largest gynaecological conference in the Asia-Pacific region, hosted at the Apollo Proton Cancer Centre in Chennai.
The four-day conference was organised by the Asia Pacific Association for Gynaecologic Endoscopy and Minimally Invasive Therapy (APAGE) and saw over 500 national and international delegates in attendance. During the event, more than 90 gynecologic surgeons were trained in cutting-edge robotic-assisted surgery techniques using the da Vinci robotic system.
Dr. Reddy, who delivered a special address during a live surgery workshop, emphasised the need for widespread adoption of advanced technology in gynaecological practices to improve patient outcomes. "To fully harness the transformative potential of advanced technology in gynaecological practices, we must commit to expanding training programs and fostering collaborations that elevate surgical proficiency. I am confident that this APAGE conference will inspire many to embrace similar partnerships for the betterment of our healthcare ecosystem," she said.
The conference featured live surgical workshops demonstrating the latest techniques in procedures such as hysterectomy, endometriosis surgery, and myomectomy. Along with these, collaborative sessions, masterclasses, and hands-on training focused on minimally invasive and robotic surgical approaches in gynaecological oncology were conducted.
Dr. Kurian Joseph, Chairman of the Organising Committee for APAGE, noted the significance of the event. "With the participation of 500 national and international delegates, this conference has been a major success in exchanging scientific knowledge and surgical skills. Robotic-assisted surgery, now more prevalent in gynaecology, benefits immensely from such international conferences, where healthcare professionals can network and share the latest innovations and clinical practices," he said.
Highlighting the importance of training more surgeons in robotic-assisted techniques, Dr. Arnold Advincula, a Minimally Invasive Gynaecologic Surgeon at Columbia University Medical Centre, stated, "The rising incidence of gynaecological disorders in India presents a significant health challenge. As advanced surgical interventions become more crucial, comprehensive education programs are needed to address the existing skill gap and help surgeons achieve proficiency in technologies like robotic-assisted surgery."
Dr. Meenakshi Sundaram, a prominent gynaecologist at Apollo Hospital, added, "The conference provided a dynamic learning environment with keynote lectures, panel discussions, live surgical demonstrations, and workshops, all contributing to the professional growth of the attendees. Familiarisation programs at such events will help surgeons adopt robotic surgery more widely in India, offering patients better outcomes with reduced blood loss and faster recovery times."
