SS Innovations’ SSI MANTRA robotic surgical system has received regulatory approvals for telesurgery applications in both Indonesia and the Philippines. This breakthrough allows remote robotic procedures to be performed across borders, enabling expert surgeons to operate on patients in distant locations — a major advancement for access to advanced surgical care in resource-limited regions of Southeast Asia.
Glimpse:
The approvals, granted by the respective national regulatory authorities, clear the way for SSI MANTRA’s telesurgery capabilities to be deployed in clinical settings in Indonesia and the Philippines. The system supports high-precision remote operations with ultra-low latency, haptic feedback, and real-time 3D visualization, targeting complex procedures in urology, gynaecology, general surgery, and cardiothoracic specialties. SS Innovations plans immediate pilot programmes with local hospitals to demonstrate safety, efficacy, and impact on surgical access, with broader rollout expected soon.
SS Innovations International Limited, the developer of India’s indigenous SSI MANTRA robotic surgical system, has achieved a significant international regulatory milestone with approvals for telesurgery applications in both Indonesia and the Philippines. The clearances, secured from the respective national medical device and health authorities in late February 2026, mark the first time an Indian-made surgical robot has been authorized for remote telesurgery in these Southeast Asian markets. The approvals pave the way for expert surgeons potentially based in India or other regional centres to perform complex procedures on patients thousands of kilometres away, addressing critical shortages of skilled robotic surgeons in many parts of the region.
The SSI MANTRA system, already approved for conventional robotic surgery in India and several other countries, features a modular design, 3D high-definition visualization, precise haptic feedback, and advanced motion scaling. Its telesurgery capabilities rely on ultra-low-latency 5G and dedicated fibre connectivity, real-time video streaming, secure encryption, and fail-safe mechanisms to ensure uninterrupted control even in variable network conditions. The platform supports a wide range of procedures including urological, gynaecological, general, thoracic, and head & neck surgeries, with built-in redundancy and emergency overrides to maintain patient safety during remote operations.
SS Innovations founder and Chairman Dr. Sudhir Srivastava described the dual approvals as a historic moment for global telesurgery, particularly for developing and middle-income countries where access to robotic expertise remains limited. The company has already conducted successful telesurgery demonstrations between India and international sites, proving feasibility across long distances. With regulatory green lights now in place, SS Innovations will launch controlled telesurgery pilots in partnership with leading hospitals in Indonesia and the Philippines, starting with select high-volume procedures under close supervision. These pilots will generate real-world evidence on safety, clinical outcomes, and economic benefits to support broader adoption and insurance reimbursement.
The expansion into Southeast Asia aligns with SS Innovations’ vision of democratizing robotic surgery through affordable, Made-in-India technology. The SSI MANTRA system’s lower cost compared to global competitors, combined with telesurgery capabilities, positions it uniquely to serve markets where building local robotic surgery expertise is challenging. The company plans to establish regional training centres, offer simulator-based education, and collaborate with local healthcare providers to build capacity and ensure sustainable implementation.
This regulatory achievement not only strengthens India’s standing in global medtech but also highlights the transformative potential of telesurgery in overcoming geographical barriers to advanced care. SS Innovations expects the Indonesia and Philippines approvals to serve as a springboard for further regulatory clearances across ASEAN and other emerging markets in the coming months.
“Telesurgery breaks down borders and brings world-class surgical expertise to patients who need it most. With these approvals in Indonesia and the Philippines, SSI MANTRA is making high-precision robotic care truly borderless and more accessible than ever before.”
By
HB Team
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