First-ever robotic surgeries performed at GPHC
May 26 2026
A major milestone in modern medicine was achieved on Tuesday as the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation successfully conducted a series of groundbreaking robotic surgeries, including what is being described as the world’s longest-distance cardiac telesurgery.
According to a statement issued by the government, the historic procedure took place at the hospital’s Georgetown facility at approximately 6:00 AM and involved a Coronary Artery Bypass Graft surgery performed remotely by internationally renowned cardiac surgeon Dr Sudhir Srivastava.
Using the advanced SSI Mantra 3 robotic surgical system, Dr Srivastava operated from Guyana on a patient located in India, covering an estimated distance of 20,000 kilometres through fibre optic technology. Officials said the operation now stands as the longest-distance telesurgery ever conducted globally.
The procedure in India was supported onsite by Dr Lalit Malik and Dr Mohit Bhandari.
In another major achievement for Guyana’s healthcare sector, a local robotic inguinal hernia repair was successfully completed by Dr Hemraj Ramcharran with support from Dr Bibi Hussain and Dr Jagnanand Ramnarine.
Following the successful surgery, Dr Ramcharran became the first Guyanese surgeon to perform robotic surgery in Guyana and across the English-speaking Caribbean. The medical team had previously undergone specialised robotic surgery training in India.
The day’s achievements continued with another historic first when Dr Srivastava carried out a robotic Atrial Septal Defect (ASD) repair locally in Guyana. The patient was treated for a congenital heart condition involving an abnormal opening in the wall separating the upper chambers of the heart.
Health officials described the initiative as a transformative step in Guyana’s medical advancement, marking the introduction of robotics and telemedicine in surgery within the country.
The surgeries also highlighted growing international medical collaboration, advancements in minimally invasive procedures, capacity building for local healthcare professionals, and Guyana’s expanding role in digital healthcare innovation.
(Fueledgy photo)
