Apollo Hospitals, Aragonda, has completed 1,000 total knee replacement surgeries, marking a milestone in the delivery of specialised orthopedic care in rural Andhra Pradesh. Established in 2000 by Dr. Prathap C. Reddy, Founder-Chairman, Apollo Hospitals Group, the 50-bed hospital has treated more than 1.67 lakh patients and performed over 12,000 surgeries across specialties. The knee replacement program is supported by an orthopedic team that includes Dr. Madan Mohan Reddy, Dr. Vijay Kishore Kondreddy and Dr. Kunal Patel. The program reached 100 procedures in 2019, 500 in 2022 and 1,000 in 2026. The hospital has also reported completing 19 knee replacement surgeries in a single day.Total knee replacement involves removing damaged surfaces of the knee joint and replacing them with artificial components. It may be considered for patients with advanced joint disease who continue to experience significant pain and limitations in movement despite appropriate non-surgical treatment. Suitability is determined through individual assessment of the patient’s health, symptoms, joint damage and treatment goals.Dr. Prathap C. Reddy highlighted the importance of making healthcare services more accessible to rural communities. He also emphasised preventive healthcare and early identification of health risks as important components of improving community health.Apollo Hospitals Aragonda is associated with Apollo Foundation’s Total Health initiative, launched in 2013. The program combines healthcare and preventive services with interventions addressing nutrition, education, safe drinking water, skill development and livelihoods. Its healthcare activities include primary care, diagnostics, telemedicine, mobile medical services and cancer screening.The milestone reflects the hospital’s growing experience in providing knee replacement surgery in a rural healthcare setting. Surgical volumes indicate the scale of services delivered, while individual outcomes depend on factors including patient selection, surgical care, rehabilitation and follow-up.

Apollo Hospitals, Financial District, Hyderabad, has launched the Apollo Stroke Command Centre to support the rapid assessment and treatment of people with suspected stroke. The centre brings together AI-enabled diagnostic tools, specialist expertise and coordinated clinical workflows to assist time-sensitive treatment decisions. AI-enabled tools can support clinicians by analysing brain scans and flagging findings that may require urgent review. These findings are interpreted by the treating team alongside the patient’s symptoms, medical history, neurological examination and other clinical information. The technology supports clinical decision-making and does not diagnose or determine treatment independently. A stroke occurs when blood flow to part of the brain is blocked or when a blood vessel in the brain ruptures. Treatment depends on whether the stroke is ischemic or hemorrhagic, the time at which symptoms began, or the patient was last known to be well, imaging findings and individual clinical factors. Rapid assessment is important because some treatments are effective only within defined time windows.The Stroke Command Centre is intended to strengthen coordination across emergency assessment, brain imaging and specialist review. Its introduction reflects the growing use of digitally connected systems in stroke care, where technology may help clinical teams review information and coordinate treatment more efficiently. Individual outcomes following stroke vary according to factors including the type and severity of the stroke, time to treatment, underlying health and access to rehabilitation.

Apollo TeleHealth’s Keonjhar Digital Dispensary Project has received the Excellence in Patient Care & Service Delivery award at the FICCI Healthcare Excellence Awards 2026. The award was presented during FICCI HEAL 2026, held on 27 and 28 October at FICCI Federation House, New Delhi. Apollo TeleHealth is the digital healthcare unit of Apollo Hospitals, delivering technology-enabled services such as teleconsultations, diagnostics and remote healthcare support. Its Keonjhar initiative was launched in 2023 in partnership with the Chief District Medical & Public Health Officer, Keonjhar, with support from the District Mineral Foundation, Keonjhar.The project operates through a network of 66 digital dispensaries serving remote tribal, Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group and mining communities across Keonjhar district in Odisha. It integrates teleconsultations, diagnostic services, pharmacy support and referrals within the public health system.The initiative has completed more than one million teleconsultations and digital prescriptions. According to the program data, it serves over 30,000 patients each month and has supported more than 2,00,000 diagnostic tests and 20,000 referrals for specialised care.By bringing primary healthcare services closer to communities, the model aims to reduce the need for patients to travel long distances for consultations, investigations and medicines. Telehealth can also support follow-up and access to specialist advice, while patients requiring physical examination, emergency treatment or procedures must be referred for appropriate in-person care.The recognition highlights how digital technology, on-ground healthcare teams and public-sector collaboration can complement existing health services in difficult-to-reach areas. The effectiveness of such models depends on appropriate clinical assessment, reliable infrastructure, referral pathways and coordination with healthcare facilities.

Apollo Hospitals, Bannerghatta Road, Bengaluru, has performed what it describes as India’s first surgery using the da Vinci 5 robotic-assisted surgical system. Introduced at the hospital in October 2026, the next-generation platform is being used across cardiac surgery, surgical oncology, gynecological surgery, gastrointestinal surgery and urology.    A key feature of da Vinci 5 is Force Feedback technology. When used with compatible instruments, it allows surgeons to sense the forces exerted on tissue through the console controls. This provides additional information alongside visual feedback and may support tissue handling during delicate surgical manoeuvres.  The system incorporates more than 150 technological enhancements, including updated 3D imaging, improved instrument controls, a redesigned surgeon console and tools for reviewing surgical video and procedural data. The manufacturer confirms that Force Feedback enables surgeons to sense the push and pull exerted on tissue.  The addition of the da Vinci 5 robotic-assisted surgical system expands the surgical capabilities available at Apollo Hospitals, Bannerghatta Road. The choice of surgical approach will continue to depend on the patient’s medical condition, the procedure required and the treating team’s clinical assessment, as robotic-assisted surgery is not appropriate for every patient or operation. 

Apollo Healthcare Academy, Chennai, and the School of Sciences at Woxsen University, Hyderabad, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to collaborate on academic programmes in allied health sciences. The partnership aims to combine scientific education with practical learning relevant to healthcare delivery.  The proposed programmes will cover disciplines including physiotherapy, medical imaging and cardiac care. These fields support different areas of healthcare, ranging from rehabilitation and diagnostic imaging to the assessment and management of cardiovascular conditions. The curricula are expected to build students’ understanding of the scientific principles, clinical processes and technical skills relevant to each discipline.   Allied health professionals work alongside doctors, nurses and other healthcare professionals as part of multidisciplinary teams. Their responsibilities may include conducting diagnostic investigations, operating specialised equipment, supporting treatment and rehabilitation, and monitoring patients, depending on their qualifications and professional scope.  Through the agreement, Apollo Healthcare Academy and Woxsen University will collaborate on programme development and practical learning opportunities intended to connect academic instruction with healthcare practice. The initiative aims to support structured education for students preparing for roles in allied health services. 

Dr. Nita S. Nair, Lead Consultant – Breast Surgery, Apollo Cancer Centre, Navi Mumbai, has received the Shakti Award 2026 for Excellence in Contribution to Oncology. The recognition was presented in Mumbai by Shri Devendra Fadnavis, Chief Minister of Maharashtra.   Dr. Nair specialises in breast surgical oncology. Her areas of expertise include breast cancer surgery, oncoplastic breast surgery and the management of triple-negative breast cancer. Her work encompasses clinical care, research and multidisciplinary treatment planning for people with breast cancer.   Alongside her clinical practice, Dr. Nair has contributed to academic research, surgical education and the evaluation of treatment approaches in breast oncology. Her work also considers functional outcomes and quality of life as important components of cancer care.   The recognition highlights her contributions to breast oncology across clinical practice, research and medical education. It also reflects the role of multidisciplinary collaboration in developing treatment plans based on the characteristics of the cancer and the individual needs of each patient.  

Apollo Hospitals, Bannerghatta Road, Bengaluru, has received accreditation from Joint Commission International (JCI) for the seventh time, marking the completion of another external assessment cycle focused on healthcare quality and patient safety.  JCI accreditation involves an independent evaluation of a healthcare organisation against standards covering areas such as patient safety, clinical care processes, medication management, infection prevention, organisational governance and quality improvement. Accreditation indicates that the organisation met the applicable standards at the time of assessment.  The latest accreditation reflects the collective work of doctors, nurses, allied healthcare professionals and support teams across clinical care and hospital operations. Maintaining accreditation requires established processes, staff participation, monitoring and continued quality-improvement activity.  The recognition also highlights the role of periodic external assessment in identifying areas for improvement and supporting consistent institutional practices. Accreditation evaluates organisational systems and compliance with defined standards; it does not guarantee a particular outcome for every patient, as outcomes also depend on the medical condition, treatment required and other individual clinical factors.

A cardiac team at Apollo Hospitals, Greams Road, Chennai, led by Dr. Karthigesan AM, Senior Consultant – Cardiology and Electrophysiology, performed a combined catheter-based procedure using pulsed field ablation (PFA) and left atrial appendage (LAA) closure in a 75-year-old man with recurrent atrial fibrillation, a previous stroke and a history of intracranial bleeding.  The patient, who also had diabetes, had previously received antiarrhythmic medication and anticoagulation following an AF-related stroke. He subsequently developed intracranial bleeding that required surgery. Extended Holter monitoring later detected recurrent atrial fibrillation despite medication, while his history of serious bleeding complicated the use of long-term anticoagulation.  During a single procedure, the team used the FARAPULSE system to perform PFA and implanted a device to close the left atrial appendage. PFA delivers short electrical pulses to target cardiac tissue involved in atrial fibrillation, unlike conventional thermal ablation techniques that use heat or freezing. LAA closure seals a small pouch in the upper left chamber of the heart where blood clots commonly form in people with atrial fibrillation.  Dr. Karthigesan noted that patients with atrial fibrillation who experience serious bleeding while receiving anticoagulants can present complex treatment decisions. Discontinuing anticoagulation may leave them at risk of a clot-related stroke, while continuing it may increase the risk of further bleeding. In appropriately selected patients, LAA closure may offer a non-pharmacological approach to reducing stroke risk, while PFA addresses the abnormal heart rhythm.  The patient was discharged two days after the procedure. A stable heart rhythm was reported at the two-week follow-up. The clinical team planned anticoagulation for three months, followed by aspirin alone, subject to continued assessment and follow-up.  PFA and LAA closure address different aspects of atrial fibrillation: rhythm control and reduction of clot-related stroke risk. Combining them in a single procedure may be considered for selected patients, but the evidence supporting this approach is still developing. Longer-term follow-up is required to assess rhythm control, device sealing, stroke prevention and potential complications. Recent literature similarly describes combined PFA and LAA closure as a developing strategy for which evidence remains limited. 

A donor heart intended for transplantation at Apollo Hospitals, Seshadripuram, Bengaluru, was transported across part of the city using the Namma Metro network on 14 October 2026. The coordinated transfer involved teams from Sparsh Hospital, Yeshwanthpur, Apollo Hospitals and the Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL).   The medical team carrying the donor heart boarded a Metro train at Goraguntepalya station at 2.22 pm and reached Mantri Square Sampige Road station at 2.40 pm. The Metro leg of the hospital-to-hospital transfer took 18 minutes and provided an alternative to travelling through congested city roads. BMRCL coordinated the necessary arrangements to support the safe and timely movement of the organ.   Timely transportation is important in heart transplantation because a donor heart can remain viable outside the body for only a limited period. The duration depends on factors including the method of preservation and the clinical circumstances, making careful coordination between retrieval, transport and transplant teams essential.  The transfer demonstrates how coordination between healthcare institutions and public transport authorities can support time-sensitive organ transplantation. It also highlights the contribution of organ donors and their families, whose decisions make transplantation possible. 

Apollo Hospitals Pune, in association with Pune Cardiac Centre, has reported completing more than 100 cardiac surgical procedures since November 2025. The Pune Cardiac Centre has also reported performing more than 400 minimally invasive cardiac surgeries over the past five years, including over 230 procedures during 2025–26.  The programme has completed more than 30 robotic-assisted cardiac surgeries. Its work includes robotic-assisted harvesting of the bilateral internal mammary arteries for total arterial revascularisation in selected patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting. This technique uses arteries from the chest wall as grafts to restore blood flow to the heart.  The cardiac surgery programme also includes minimally invasive approaches to mitral valve replacement, repeat mitral valve replacement, aortic valve replacement and atrial septal defect closure.  Robotic assistance can provide enhanced 3D visualisation and instrument control during selected cardiac procedures. However, the choice between robotic-assisted, minimally invasive and conventional surgery depends on the patient’s condition, anatomy, procedural requirements and the clinical judgement of the surgical team.  These milestones reflect the combined experience of Apollo Hospitals Pune and Pune Cardiac Centre in undertaking minimally invasive and robotic-assisted cardiac surgery. The surgical approach is determined following individual clinical assessment and discussion of the available treatment options. 

Apollo Hospitals Navi Mumbai hosted the Cordis DEB Observership Programme: Advancing Stentless Strategies, an educational programme focused on the use of drug-coated balloons in selected coronary interventions. The programme included the observation of complex procedures and case-based discussions on treatment planning, vessel preparation and stentless angioplasty strategies.   Dr. Rahul Gupta, Consultant - Interventional Cardiology, Apollo Hospitals Navi Mumbai, performed two complex coronary procedures using drug-coated balloons. The procedures were observed by Dr. Simon Eccleshall, Consultant Interventional Cardiologist at Norfolk and Norwich University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, United Kingdom. Dr. Eccleshall’s clinical and research interests include coronary artery disease and drug-coated balloon angioplasty.    Drug-coated balloon angioplasty uses a balloon catheter to widen a narrowed segment of a coronary artery and deliver an antiproliferative medication to the vessel wall. The balloon is then removed, potentially allowing treatment without leaving a permanent implant. However, a stent may still be required if the procedural result is inadequate or a complication occurs.  The approach may be considered in selected clinical situations, including certain cases of in-stent restenosis and disease affecting small coronary vessels. Its suitability depends on factors such as the nature and location of the lesion, vessel size, preparation of the artery and the result achieved during the procedure.  Coronary stents remain an established treatment for many patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention. Drug-coated balloons provide another option in appropriately selected cases, with treatment decisions guided by the patient’s clinical condition, lesion characteristics, procedural findings and available evidence.  The observership enabled clinicians to examine the practical application of drug-coated balloon angioplasty and discuss its place alongside established coronary intervention strategies. 

Apollo Hospitals, Chennai, organised Robo Connect, an interactive clinical programme held on 11 October 2026 at Accord Puducherry. The event was inaugurated by Dr. S. Sevvel, Director of Health and Family Welfare Services, Government of Puducherry.  Centred on the theme "Beyond Technology to Meaningful Clinical and Patient Outcomes", the programme brought together more than 30 robotic surgeons from Apollo Hospitals, Chennai, and clinicians from Puducherry to exchange knowledge and discuss developments in robotic-assisted surgery.  Surgeons from different specialties shared their clinical experience and examined how robotic assistance may be used during selected procedures. Discussions focused on clinical indications, surgical planning, procedural requirements and the role of surgeon training and experience.  The programme also examined robotic surgical platforms, including the Hugo Robotic-Assisted Surgery system, SSI Mantra, Meril CUVIS and Stryker Mako. These systems are designed for different types of procedures and provide varying forms of visualisation, surgical planning and instrument or robotic-arm assistance. The choice of platform depends on the procedure, clinical requirements and the surgeon’s assessment.   Dr. Ilankumaran Kaliamoorthy, CEO, Apollo Hospitals, Chennai Region, highlighted the importance of evaluating surgical technologies according to the clinical value they provide. The discussions emphasised that technology should support clinical decision-making, with treatment planned according to the patient’s condition and individual care requirements.  Robotic assistance may offer technical advantages during selected procedures, including enhanced visualisation, controlled instrument movement or support for surgical planning. However, it does not independently guarantee a particular clinical outcome. Results can vary according to the patient’s overall health, underlying condition, complexity of the procedure, surgical approach and the experience of the clinical team.  Robo Connect underscored the importance of assessing robotic-assisted surgery through clinical evidence, appropriate patient selection, structured training and patient outcomes rather than technological capability alone.