For many years, patients in India believed that the best medical care was only available in large metro hospitals. But new techniques are changing that perception.

Small cities and cities are growing rapidly and robot-assisted surgery, better infrastructure and skilled doctors such as technologies, Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities are now offering only once only once in the metro.

Kerala: Breaking urban-rural division

Head of Surgical Services at Regional Cancer Center, Kerala, Dr. Bipin t. According to Varghese, the state is unique because healthcare is well spread over large and small cities. He explains, “It is difficult to classify cities here as Tier 1 or Tier 2. Advanced healthcare is almost accessible,” they explain.

At their center, robot-assisted surgery is now part of regular care. General processes include head and neck cancer surgery, thyroid surgery and reconstruction operations. Dr. Varghese says that patients are often eager to robotic surgery but sometimes misunderstand the role of technology.

“Many people think that the robot is operated by itself, but it is fully controlled by the surgeon,” he clarifies.

The cost also plays a big role. In public hospitals such as RCC, robot surgery is far more cheaper than private centers, and insurance coverage is slowly improving. This can attract patients from other states in the future.

Gujarat: Small towns offering advanced urology care

Dr. Muljibhai Patel, Senior Advisor of Urological Hospital in Nadiad, Gujarat. Arvind Gunpule believes that the patients are making changes themselves. “People are well informed today, they know what treatments are available globally, and they want the best results with low pain and rapid recovery,” they say.

His hospital was the first in India to return the Da Vinci robotic system in 2010. Today, they perform 20–25 robotic surgery in a month, including prostate and kidney operation. Patients travel from states like Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and even Assam to undergo treatment here.

Dr. Ganpule suggests that small cities provide more individual, domestic environment, which many patients prefer. The cost is also quite low – not only for surgery, but also for living, food and other expenses. “The belief that only the metro hospitals only provide advanced care,” they say.

Tamil Nadu: Trust Building in Small Cities

In Namakkal, Surgical Oncologist at Thangam Cancer Center. Saravana Rajmanikam has seen a major change in the patient’s perception in the last five years. “Earlier, patients thought that advanced cancer surgery could be performed only in Chennai or Bangalore. Now they are surprised to see that robot lungs and esophagel surgery are available here in Namakkal,” he says.

Their center provides complex surgery such as lung segmentectomy, airways resolution, and esophagal processes using robotic technology.

The significant benefit for patients is cost, treatment in Namakkal can be cheaper by up to 50% than the metros. Add that short waiting time to doctors to more personal attention, and patients prefer small cities for rapid treatment.

“Today, many patients ask for robotic surgery themselves. Anything even travels for treatment in small cities from metro also for treatment,” Dr. Sarawana noted that awareness has increased.

The doctor agrees to a point: when it comes to advanced healthcare, small cities are no longer behind. Both are helping to bridge investment, better insurance coverage, and better patient awareness intervals from government and private sectors.

But there are challenges. Robot surgery, limited ability, and continuous surgeon needs misunderstandings about the need for training are issues that should address hospitals.

Nevertheless, the trend is clear: small cities of India are constantly emerging as a center for world -class surgery.