Shimla, March 12 -- Chief minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Wednesday inaugurated robotic surgery services at the Indira Gandhi Medical College and Hospital (IGMC), Shimla, announcing that the state will provide world-class surgical technology at a fraction of private sector costs.

Speaking at the inauguration, Sukhu said while robotic surgeries typically cost upwards of Rs.3 lakh in private facilities, the state government has capped the charges at Rs.30,000 for general ward patients and Rs.50,000 for those in special wards.

"Robotic surgery was previously the preserve of high-end private hospitals. We are bringing this to government institutions to ensure the common man benefits from quicker recovery and world-class precision," he sa...