Cardiac surgery at Cuttack SCB hospital under stress; Odisha govt cites ‘unfeasibility and shortage’

The formation of a second team for open heart surgeries at SCB Medical College and Hospital (SCBMCH) in Cuttack remains on hold as the state faces a critical shortage of qualified cardiothoracic and vascular surgeons.

According to The Times of India, the health and family welfare department of the Odisha government has informed the Orissa High Court that without the recruitment of additional specialists, it is currently ‘not feasible’ to operate another surgical unit for complex cardiac procedures.

Specialist Shortage Delays Expansion

The department highlighted that the state has a very limited pool of super-speciality surgeons, making the establishment of a second surgical team impractical at present.

Until three additional CTVS surgeons are available, SCBMCH will continue with its existing cardiac surgery operations under the current team.

Government Initiatives & Expert Support

The report added that to address the shortfall, the government has sought assistance from top-tier medical institutes, including AIIMS, New Delhi, and Government Medical College, Kottayam.

These institutions have agreed to provide expert teams for on-site guidance, training, and skill development of SCBMCH surgeons and critical care staff. Measures are also being taken to hire more senior residents and faculty on contractual or permanent terms, with appropriate compensation, to prevent any disruption in cardiac care.

A government communication emphasised that institutions with proven expertise in cardiothoracic surgeries will support hands-on training and supervision of open-heart procedures at SCBMCH.

ALSO READ: Family mistakenly takes wrong body from SCB Cuttack mortuary; alleges bribe, theft during exchange

Surgical Risks Mar SCB Reputation

According to reports by The Hindu, between 2023 and August 2025, 505 patients were admitted to the CTVS department of SCB, with 385 undergoing surgery. Of these, 65 patients died post-operation, and 120 left against medical advice, marking the critical need for experienced surgical teams.

In response to the flagging of these reports by the Orissa High Court, SCBMCH has prioritised the recruitment of additional surgeons and the engagement of expert teams to improve surgical safety and patient outcomes.