Orissa High Court has expressed concerns over high mortality among patients those underwent open-heart surgery in SCB Medical College Hospital, Cuttack, Odisha’s largest State-run healthcare facility.
Out of 85 open heart surgeries performed at SCB Medical College Hospital since January 2025, as many as 26 patients did not survive.
“After going through the data relating to the open heart surgery, we find in 2023, out of the total 165 open heart surgery performed, 15 patients succumbed. Similarly, in 2024 out of 135 open heart surgery performed, 24 patients died and in 2025 (January to August), out of 85 open heart surgery performed, 26 patients (which is almost one third) did not survive,” observed a division Bench of the Orissa HC, comprising Justice S.K. Sahoo and Justice V. Narasingh.
Orissa HC had taken sou motu cognisance of a report on patients succumbing to complications after open heart surgery. During the course of the hearing, the court was apprised that the surgeon, who is conducting the open heart surgery, is scheduled to retire next year.
Responding to observations, Health Secretary S. Aswathi assured that the matter would be taken up at the level of government. Steps would be taken to ensure that there would be no dislocation and let up in the patient care so far as open heart surgery is concerned.
She also assured that death audits would be conducted to ascertain factors causing deaths after surgeries. When medical superintendent informed that review of deaths had been conducted, the court directed to present it in the next date.
“The Medical Superintendent, SCBMCH, Cuttack shall furnish the full data of the present status of survived open heart surgery patients. Every endeavor shall be made by the government to form another team of competent doctors in Cardio Thoracic Vascular Surgery (CTVS) to conduct open heart surgery taking into account its demand and costs likely to be incurred by the patients if it is conducted in any private hospital,” the court ordered on Thursday (September 4, 2025).
The Bench emphasised, “efforts shall also be made to counsel the patients who are taking admission for open heart surgery so that there would be reduction of LAMA (Left Against Medical Advice) cases.”
It said, “the cause of death after open heart surgery which is rising needs thorough investigation and the mortality risks may be lowered by engaging such patients in a supervised cardiac rehab programme to improve physical function, guiding them to follow all medications and imparting life style instructions.”
In 2023, a total of 186 were admitted for open heart surgery while 21 of them left against medical advice. In 2024, a total of 181 were admitted for such surgery and 46 of them left against medical advice. In 2025 from January to August, 138 were admitted and 53 left against medical advice.
Published – September 06, 2025 03:25 am IST
