Odisha seeks experts’ help to reduce high mortality rate in open heart surgery

The Odisha health and family welfare department has sought the assistance of All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, and Government Medical College, Kottayam, to reduce the rise in mortality rate at S.C.B Medical College and Hospital, the state’s largest government-run healthcare facility established during the British Raj, at Cuttack city.

The step in this regard has been taken by the government after the Orissa High Court expressed concern over the high mortality of patients undergoing open heart surgery at the Cardio Thoracic Vascular Surgery (CTVS) wing of SCB Medical College & Hospital (SCBMCH).

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“The matter has been taken up with All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi and Government Medical College, Kottayam, which is in the Government sector and it has excellent track record and 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”, Aswathy S, Secretary, Family & Welfare Department of Odisha Government informed the High Court in an affidavit.

Around 17% of patients who underwent such medical procedures from January 2023 to August 2025 died post-surgery at the CTVS wing of the premier hospital.

Aswathy S, in an affidavit, further stated that as far as open heart surgery in the CTVS Department of S.C.B Medical College and Hospital, Cuttack, is concerned, the availability of faculty in such super specialty disciplines in the State is very limited.

Steps will be taken to engage more faculty and senior residents on contractual or regular mode with appropriate remuneration, so that there is no dislocation and let up in the patient care, so far as open heart surgery is concerned. Until the additional three CTVS surgeons are available, the formation of a second team for cardiac surgery is not feasible, she further informed the court.

The affidavit also stated that steps would be taken to send the existing faculty in CTVS and critical care for an exposure visit, as well as advanced training. The already trained faculties posted in other medical colleges shall be deployed during the major surgeries.

Further, steps are being taken to invite an expert team from AIIMS, New Delhi for guidance, hands on training, developing the skill and confidence of the faculties, nursing and other paramedics for conducting the heart surgeries and suggesting in equipping the Operation Theatre and Intensive Care Unit with appropriate modern equipment and instrument for the best outcome in patients who are undergoing cardiac surgeries.

There is no dispute that open heart surgery is a major surgery. It can be a life-saving operation for some. For others, open heart surgery improves their symptoms, making it easier for them to do everyday tasks. This can give them a better quality of life. There are several risks and complications of open heart surgery, but if it is properly planned and a team of experts carries out the surgery, there are good chances of success, the high court observed in an order in this regard while posting the matter for further hearing on 27 November next.