Heart transplant at SCB Cuttack soon; Odisha govt signs MoU with MGM healthcare

In a major boost to the healthcare system in Odisha, the state government on Wednesday signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Chennai-based MGM Healthcare for heart transplantation at SCB Medical College and Hospital in Cuttack.

Odisha Health Minister Mukesh Mahaling informed that the MoU assumes significance for starting the heart transplant unit at SCB. The patients can avail the services free of cost and it is a historic day for the state, he said.

The initiative is likely to play a crucial role as heart transplant will now be affordable and patients will not have to depend on hospitals outside the state.

Dr Suresh Rao, official of MGM Healthcare said, We are one of the largest heart and lung transplantation centres where we have done more than 650 heart transplant and 120 lung transplant. We will be happy to help the SCB medical college and hospital and their doctors to do the heart transplant here."

Rao continued, "We have four patients who got heart transplant at MGM and they are doing well. We thought why patients have to come to Chennai when there are doctors in Odisha who can do the transplant. We will come here and help the doctors and train them; and it will benefit the people of the state."