AIIMS Delhi Hosts Pediatric Surgery Conference, Unveils India’s First Mobile Robotic Training Platform

New Delhi– In a transformative moment for Indian healthcare, the Department of Paediatric Surgery at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, concluded the 21st Annual Conference of Pediatric Endoscopic Surgeons of India (PESICON 2026) today, unveiling pioneering innovations that position India at the forefront of advanced pediatric surgical training globally.

The three-day international conference (January 21-23, 2026) attracted over 300 distinguished delegates from across India and abroad, including leading surgeons from Poland, Egypt, Oman, and Bahrain—affirming India’s emergence as a global hub for minimally invasive and robotic pediatric surgery.

Prof. M. Srinivas, Director of AIIMS New Delhi, whose vision and motivation were instrumental in bringing this event to fruition, emphasised the institute’s commitment to pioneering surgical education initiatives that serve the nation and beyond.

Revolutionary Training Model Transforms Surgical Education PESICON 2026 broke new ground by transitioning from traditional lecture-based learning to an unprecedented hands-on training ecosystem, offering surgeons immersive, skill-building experiences across five specialized domains:

1. Surgical Video Editing Workshop Empowering surgeons with multimedia skills to document, edit, and disseminate surgical knowledge—creating a digital legacy for the next generation while elevating academic presentations and clinical documentation standards.

2. Robotic Suturing Mastery Workshop Providing direct exposure to state-of-the-art robotic surgical systems, allowing young surgeons to develop precision suturing techniques on advanced platforms in a structured, mentored environment.

3. Comprehensive Robotic Surgical Simulation Delivering safe, repeatable practice of complex operative maneuvers for both trainees and experienced surgeons, accelerating the learning curve without patient risk.

4. Advanced Energy Devices Masterclass Specialized training on next-generation surgical energy technology, emphasizing evidencebased protocols, enhanced safety margins, and surgical precision.

Historic National Firsts Redefine Access to Advanced Training PESICON 2026 introduced two innovations that are set to transform surgical education across India: India’s First Laparoscopy Wet Lab A fully immersive training facility providing realistic tissue-based practice—previously unavailable at this scale in the country—allowing pediatric surgeons to refine complex minimally invasive techniques in authentic surgical conditions.

“The wet lab represents our commitment to providing world-class training infrastructure,” said Prof. Prabudh Goel, explaining how the facility bridges the gap between simulation and actual surgical practice.

India’s First Robotic Training Platform on Wheels The conference’s crowning achievement: a fully equipped mobile robotic surgery training bus bringing cutting-edge da Vinci-style robotic technology directly to surgeons.

This revolutionary “training on wheels” concept democratizes access to expensive robotic systems, ensuring surgeons from tier-2 and tier-3 cities can experience world-class technology without geographical barriers. Prof. Anjan Kumar Dhua noted, “This mobile platform represents a scalable model that could reshape surgical education across emerging economies worldwide.

We’re taking technology to the surgeons, rather than waiting for them to access it in major cities.” Visionary Leadership Behind Historic Success The unprecedented success of PESICON 2026 was made possible through exceptional leadership and dedication from the Department of Pediatric Surgery at AIIMS Delhi.

Prof. Sandeep Agarwala, Head of the Department of Pediatric Surgery, provided unconditional support and shared his expansive vision that transformed the conference into a landmark event.

“Our goal was not just to host another conference, but to create a paradigm shift in how pediatric surgeons are trained in India,” Prof. Agarwala stated. Prof. Vishesh Jain, the main Organizing Secretary, worked tirelessly for months to orchestrate this complex event.

“Every workshop, every session, every innovation you see here represents countless hours of planning and coordination,” shared Dr. Ankur Mandelia. “Prof. Jain’s dedication has set a new benchmark for surgical conference organization in the country.”

Dr. VVS Chandrasekharam added, “The hands-on training model we’ve implemented here addresses a long-standing gap in Indian surgical education. Delegates are leaving not just with knowledge, but with practical skills they can immediately apply.” Bridging the Technology-Training-Care Continuum “PESICON 2026 marks a paradigm shift in how we prepare the next generation of pediatric surgeons,” emphasized Prof. Devendra Kumar Yadav.

“We’re not just teaching procedures—we’re building a sustainable ecosystem where technology, structured training, and compassionate patient care converge.”

The conference successfully addressed a critical gap in Indian healthcare: while advanced surgical technology has become increasingly available, structured, hands-on training opportunities have lagged behind.

PESICON 2026’s immersive model ensures that technological capability translates into surgical excellence. Setting the Benchmark for Future Surgical Conferences Through its integration of scientific rigor, technological innovation, and accessible training infrastructure, PESICON 2026 has established that are expected to influence surgical education policy nationwide.

“The mobile robotic platform offers a replicable model for addressing India’s urban-rural healthcare training divide,” explained Prof. Prabudh Goel. “This is just the beginning—we envision similar platforms reaching surgical communities across the country.”

As India continues its journey toward becoming a global healthcare destination, initiatives like PESICON 2026 demonstrate that Indian medical institutions are not merely adopting international standards—they are setting them.