Odisha Govt seeks expert help to curb alarming open-heart surgery deaths at SCBMCH

Bhubaneshwar: To address the 'alarming' rise in the mortality among patients undergoing open heart surgery at the Cardio Thoracic Vascular Surgery (CTVS) wing of SCB Medical College & Hospital (SCBMCH), Cuttack, the Odisha government has sought expert support from the All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi and Government Medical College, Kottayam.The premier hospital is regarded as the state’s largest healthcare facility, both in the government and private sectors, logging the maximum daily footfall of ailing people.Accoreding to a UNI report, the Secretary, Family & Welfare Department of Odisha government, in an affidavit submitted before the High Court, informed that “both of the healthcare institutions have excellent track record and that they have assured that they would depute team(s) which would guide the Surgeons at SCBMCH, Cuttack so that concerted effort can be made to reduce the mortality rates which, at this stage is alarming”.Also Read:17 per cent mortality in Open-Heart Surgeries at SCB Medical College Hospital, HC steps inThe health secretary has also announced that steps would be taken to engage more Faculties and Senior Residents on contractual or regular mode with appropriate remuneration so that there would be no dislocation and let up in the patient care, so far as open heart surgery is concerned.In addition, a developed protocol- “Policy and Procedure on Open Heart Surgeries”- has been devised to deal with open heart surgeries in the CTVS Department.In the said policy, it is stated that the Department of CTVS, SCBMCH would strive to focus on the following key areas, such as identification and diagnosis of heart diseases, appropriate treatment plans, medical intervention and surgical intervention, including all types of open heart surgeries.This SoP provides a standardised guideline for the management of patients undergoing open heart surgery (Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting, Valve Replacement/Repair, Atrial Septal Defect/ Ventricular Septal Defect closure) in the Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgery (CTVS Department).Due to the retirement of faculty members and the shortage of CTVS Surgeons in the State, there is a pressing need to enhance the technical expertise of the existing team, the State health secretary wrote to the AIIMS- New Delhi director. With a view to strengthening the CTVS Department in the greater interest of the state, cooperation was sought for in providing hands-on training and practical guidance to the faculty members, nursing personnel and other paramedical staff for improving their skills and confidence in performing cardiac surgeries.In the said letter, necessary permission has been sought to send the faculty members and staff for a seven-day exposure visit and hands-on training in the CTVS Department at AIIMS, New Delhi, reports UNI.A request has also been made for an expert team from the CTVS Department of AIIMS to visit SCBMCH to guide equipping the operation theatre and ICU with appropriate modern instruments and technology to achieve optimal surgical outcomes.The affidavit also claimed that the mortality rate, which was 31% up to August 2025 has come down to 17% up to October, 2025 due to proactive measures taken by the authorities.Five of the 29 patients who underwent open heart surgeries in September & October, 2025, have died , it said.“It came to light that the all-India average of mortality in institutes of a similar nature is about 7%. This court hopes that steps shall be taken at least to bring down the mortality rate to 7% if not to make an endeavour to improve it and make it even less”, The Division Bench of Justice S.K.Sahoo and Justice V. Narasingh stated in an order.Also Read:MKCG Medical College Hospital Restarts Open-Heart Surgery After 3 Decades