AIIMS Bhopal is strengthening its digital healthcare ecosystem while expanding advanced diagnostic and surgical infrastructure, with PET-CT, Gamma Knife and robotic surgery facilities planned for the end of 2026.

Bhopal: The All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) Bhopal is accelerating its digital transformation with the introduction of a 24-hour WhatsApp-based health service, while simultaneously expanding its capabilities in advanced diagnostics, cancer care, cardiac services and minimally invasive treatment.

Through its new WhatsApp Health Services, patients can access nearly 10 routine hospital services remotely, reducing the need for physical visits for several administrative and information-related tasks.

The digital platform enables patients to book OPD appointments, link their ABHA health ID, access laboratory reports and obtain birth and death certificates. It also provides access to discharge summaries, billing information, patient details and prescriptions, while allowing users to make enquiries related to outpatient services.

The round-the-clock service is particularly aimed at improving convenience for patients who travel to the institute for routine requirements such as appointment bookings, collection of reports and certificates, or basic hospital-related information.

According to AIIMS Bhopal Director Dr. Narendra Kotwal, the institute is also working on a major expansion of its specialised medical infrastructure.

PET-CT, Gamma Knife and Robotic Surgery Planned

AIIMS Bhopal is preparing to introduce a PET-CT facility, Gamma Knife technology and robotic surgery, with these advanced services targeted for operationalisation by the end of 2026.

The proposed additions are expected to strengthen the institute’s capabilities in advanced diagnostics, oncology and complex surgical care, while reducing the need for patients to travel outside the region for specialised treatment.

The institute is also progressing towards the establishment of an additional cardiac catheterization laboratory (cath lab). The long-term plan includes having two cath labs, two MRI machines and two linear accelerators (LINACs) operational by next year.

Hospital Moving Towards Paperless Diagnostics

Another important development is the procurement of a Picture Archiving and Communication System (PACS), which is nearing completion.

The PACS infrastructure will allow doctors to electronically access and review diagnostic images and associated reports, supporting faster information sharing and more efficient clinical workflows. The initiative forms part of AIIMS Bhopal’s broader move towards a paperless and digitally integrated hospital environment.

Virtual Autopsy Facility Under Development

AIIMS Bhopal is also close to completing procurement for a virtual autopsy centre.

The proposed facility will use CT imaging to assess internal injuries and other abnormalities, offering a technology-driven approach for cases involving accidents, unnatural deaths and medico-legal investigations. The system could provide valuable internal examination information without relying exclusively on conventional invasive procedures.

ESWL Facility to Support Stone Treatment

In another healthcare infrastructure upgrade, the institute is setting up an Extracorporeal Shock Wave Lithotripsy (ESWL) facility for the treatment of kidney and urinary tract stones.

The ESWL machine is expected to be installed within the next two months. The technology uses shock waves to break stones into smaller fragments, potentially allowing appropriate patients to undergo treatment without surgical incisions.

With its simultaneous focus on digital patient services and advanced medical infrastructure, AIIMS Bhopal is positioning itself to provide a broader range of technology-enabled and specialised healthcare services to patients in Madhya Pradesh and surrounding regions.