Fortis Bannerghatta Road And Dr. Mohan Keshavamurthy Lead India’s Robotic Surgery Revolution

Robotic surgery is redefining the future of healthcare across the globe and India is emerging as a powerful force in this transformation. With advanced technology, robust clinical expertise and a growing culture of innovation, the country is witnessing remarkable success in robotic-assisted surgeries. Offering superior precision, minimal tissue trauma, reduced blood loss and faster recovery, robotic surgery has become a game changer for complex surgical procedures especially urology, uro-oncology and kidney transplant.

At the forefront of this revolution is the Fortis Hospital, Bannerghatta Road in Bengaluru, which has steadily evolved into a destination for advanced robotic care. Drawing patients not only from across India but also from East and West Africa, the Middle East, and Southeast Asia, Fortis Bannerghatta Road is renowned for excellence in urology, uro-oncology, uro-gynaecology, renal transplantation and advanced reconstructive procedures. Central to this journey is Dr. Mohan Keshavamurthy, Principal Director – Renal Sciences, whose professional life mirrors the evolution of robotic surgery in India itself.

From Hassan to Global Centres of Excellence

Born in Hassan district of Karnataka, Dr. Mohan Keshavamurthy’s journey is one marked by academic rigor, perseverance, and a relentless pursuit of surgical excellence. He completed his medical education at Bangalore Medical College, followed by advanced training in General Surgery and Urology, including an MCh from KEM Hospital, Mumbai, where he emerged as a university topper in 1995.

His quest for mastery led him to some of the world’s most respected institutions, including Tata Memorial Hospital, Mumbai, for oncological training, and QEII Health Sciences Centre, Halifax, Canada, where he pursued fellowship training in Solid Organ Transplantation. He also trained under the American Society of Transplantation, gaining exposure to global best practices that would later influence his approach to patient care in India.

A Pioneer Across Multiple Frontiers

With over three decades of surgical experience, Dr. Mohan has been instrumental in advancing urology and transplant surgery in India. Long before robotic platforms became widespread, he was among the early adopters of laser technologies, pioneering the use of Holmium and Diode lasers in urology.

His clinical expertise spans robotic kidney transplantation, uro-oncology, advanced urinary tract reconstruction, paediatric urology and andrology, including highly complex procedures such as gender reassignment surgery, exstrophy–epispadias repair, redo hypospadias surgery and penile prosthesis implantation. He has also played a key role in establishing kidney transplant programs that cater to international patients, particularly from Africa and the Middle East.

Reinventing at 50: The Robotic Leap

What sets Dr. Mohan apart is not just his skill, but his willingness to reinvent himself. Despite decades of success in conventional surgery, he embraced robotic surgery in his 50s, a stage when many clinicians resist change.

He underwent specialised robotic training at global institutions including the University of Lorraine and the STAN Institute, Nancy, France, immersing himself in the science and precision of robotic-assisted surgery. Today, he performs robot-assisted kidney transplants, complex uro-oncology procedures, and paediatric robotic surgeries, achieving outcomes that were once considered high-risk or unattainable.

The Rise of Robotic Surgery in India

Since the early 2000s, robotic surgery in India has seen rapid advancement, delivering superior outcomes across urology, oncology, gastrointestinal surgery, and cardiothoracic care. Procedures requiring extreme precision—such as prostatectomy, partial nephrectomy, hysterectomy, and oncological resections—have particularly benefited from robotic assistance.

In urology, robotic surgery has transformed outcomes in nerve sparing radical prostatectomy, partial nephrectomy, kidney transplant and reconstructive procedures, especially in paediatric patients where preservation of function is critical. However, access remains largely limited to metro cities and large tertiary hospitals, underscoring the need for wider adoption.

Fortis Bengaluru and the Birth of TREAT

Under Dr. Mohan’s leadership, Fortis Hospital, Bannerghatta Road has emerged as a national leader in robotic surgery and transplantation. A defining milestone in this journey is the launch of the TREAT Program (Total Robot Enabled and Assisted Transplant)—a first-of-its-kind initiative in India that is redefining kidney transplantation.

The TREAT Program marked a historic national first with the successful execution of simultaneous robotic surgeries on both the kidney donor and recipient. By deploying two advanced robotic systems at the same time, Fortis Bannerghatta Road achieved unprecedented precision, reduced surgical trauma, and faster recovery for both patients—setting a new benchmark in transplant innovation and patient safety.

At the heart of TREAT lies an Advanced Robotic Surgical Ecosystem supported by deeply patient-centric protocols. This approach is particularly significant in India, where the majority of living kidney donors are women. By prioritising donor safety on par with recipient outcomes, TREAT addresses a long-standing ethical and clinical gap in transplant care, ensuring minimal discomfort, shorter hospital stays and a quicker return to normal life for donors.

Beyond routine transplants, TREAT is expanding access to life-saving surgery for high-risk recipients—including patients with obesity, multiple co-morbidities, prior transplant history, or complex anatomical challenges—many of whom were earlier considered ineligible for surgery. The precision and flexibility of robotic systems have made these complex procedures both feasible and safer.

The Road Ahead: India’s Robotic Future

As India continues to establish itself as a global healthcare destination, the potential for robotic surgery is immense. To fully harness this opportunity, key focus areas include:

• Surgeon Training: Establishing dedicated robotic surgery training centres

• Expansion: Extending robotic systems to Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities

• Innovation: Developing cost-effective indigenous robotic technologies

• Infrastructure: Equipping more hospitals with advanced robotic platforms

• Awareness: Educating patients on the benefits of robotic-assisted surgery

• Insurance Coverage: Making robotic procedures accessible through wider insurance inclusion

A Legacy of Purpose and Progress

Dr. Mohan Keshavamurthy’s journey—from Hassan to global centres of excellence, from conventional surgery to robotic mastery—reflects a life dedicated to progress, precision and patient-first care. Through initiatives like the TREAT Program and his leadership at Fortis Hospital Bannerghatta Road, he is not only advancing technology but also redefining the ethical and clinical standards of modern surgery.

As robotic surgery reshapes healthcare in India, leaders like Dr. Mohan ensure that the future is not just technologically advanced—but inclusive, compassionate, and transformative.