Indraprastha Apollo Hospital's Dr. Pawanindra Lal Honoured with Chikitsa Vibhushan Samman by IMA

On National Doctors' Day, Dr. Pawanindra Lal, Senior Consultant and Robotic Laparoscopic Surgeon at Indraprastha Apollo Hospitals, New Delhi, was conferred the Chikitsa Vibhushan Samman by the Indian Medical Association (IMA), East Delhi Branch. The award was presented by Delhi Chief Minister Smt Rekha Gupta, alongside Union Minister Shri Harsh Malhotra and Former Union Minister Dr. Harshvardhan, in recognition of his outstanding contributions to clinical excellence, patient care, medical education, and the advancement of healthcare in India.

A pioneer in minimally invasive and robotic gastrointestinal surgery, Dr. Lal has played a pivotal role in advancing laparoscopic and robotic surgical techniques over several decades. Beyond his clinical practice, he has made significant contributions to surgical education, including helping to establish India's first Department of Minimal Access Surgery in a government medical college, strengthening training opportunities for future surgeons and promoting the wider adoption of evidence-based minimally invasive procedures.

Upon receiving the honour, Dr. Lal dedicated the award to his mentors, colleagues, students, and the entire healthcare team, underscoring the collaborative nature of excellence in modern medicine. This recognition reflects the growing impact of minimally invasive and robotic surgery in improving surgical precision, reducing postoperative pain, minimising hospital stays, and supporting faster patient recovery. It also reinforces Apollo Hospitals' continued commitment to advancing innovation, clinical excellence, and patient-centred care while contributing to the future of surgical practice in India and beyond.