Saturday, March 19 2005 11:34 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: For the first time in the world, the All India Institute of Medical Science (AIIMS) has used a robot to inject stem cells in human heart, Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare Anbumani Ramadoss said in New Delhi yesterday (Mar 18, 2005).

"Stem cell research, having huge potential to cure a variety of diseases, will benefit with the use of robot as it will extend precision to the research," Ramadoss said inaugurating a three-day international workshop on Minimal Access Surgery (MAS) in New Delhi.

The technique, used for the first time across the world, would help inject stem cells with much less incision as compared to that in traditional procedures, Director AIIMS P Venugopal said.

Speaking about MAS, Ramadoss said units for "generation next" technique would be set up in all Government hospitals across the country with the first unit to be opened in AIIMS.

MAS is a technique that is helpful in almost every operation as it requires less incision for the procedure thereby reducing pain, blood loss, hospital stay, infections and overall cost of an operation.

"Besides opening MAS units in government hospitals to reach the technology closer to rural areas, it will soon be introduced in medical curriculum as well," the Minister said.

Stressing on adequate training of medical professionals in the new technique, he said, "The Government would take up training in the non-invasive surgery along with the Association of Minimal Access Surgeons of India."

Over 3000 delegates from the country and abroad are attending the first-ever MAS conference to be held in the country.