Fri Sep 05 21:55:00 UTC 2025: **Summary:**

The Orissa High Court has expressed serious concerns about the high mortality rate following open-heart surgeries at SCB Medical College Hospital, Cuttack, Odisha. Data from the past three years shows a concerning trend of increasing deaths post-surgery, with nearly a third of patients dying in 2025. The court has taken suo motu cognizance of the issue, prompting assurances from the Health Secretary regarding a government-level review, death audits, and the formation of a new competent surgical team. The court also stressed the importance of patient counseling and cardiac rehabilitation programs to lower mortality risks and reduce the number of patients leaving against medical advice (LAMA).

**News Article:**

**Orissa High Court Raises Alarm Over High Mortality Rate in Open-Heart Surgeries at SCB Medical College**

**BHUBANESWAR, September 6, 2025** – The Orissa High Court has voiced strong concerns regarding the alarmingly high mortality rate among patients undergoing open-heart surgeries at SCB Medical College Hospital in Cuttack, Odisha, the state’s largest public healthcare facility.

The court, comprising Justice S.K. Sahoo and Justice V. Narasingh, took suo motu cognizance of the situation after reviewing data that revealed a disturbing trend. In 2025 alone (January to August), 26 out of 85 patients who underwent open-heart surgery at SCB Medical College Hospital succumbed, representing nearly one-third of all cases. The data also shows a significant climb from 15 patients succumbing out of 165 in 2023, and 24 out of 135 in 2024.

During the hearing, the court was informed that the lead surgeon performing these surgeries is slated to retire next year, further exacerbating the concern.

Health Secretary S. Aswathi responded to the court’s observations, assuring that the matter would be addressed at the government level. Steps are being implemented to ensure continuity of patient care, including conducting thorough death audits to identify the contributing factors to the increased mortality.

“The Government is committed to ensuring the best possible care for patients requiring open-heart surgery,” stated Health Secretary Aswathi. “We will investigate these deaths rigorously and take all necessary measures to improve outcomes.”

The court has directed the Medical Superintendent of SCB Medical College Hospital to provide comprehensive data on the current status of surviving open-heart surgery patients. Furthermore, the court has mandated the government to prioritize the formation of another competent Cardio Thoracic Vascular Surgery (CTVS) team to meet the demand for such procedures, considering the financial burden on patients if they were to seek treatment at private hospitals.

In an effort to further improve outcomes, the court emphasized the importance of thorough pre-operative counseling for patients and promoting supervised cardiac rehabilitation programs post-surgery. These programs aim to improve physical function, reinforce medication adherence, and impart crucial lifestyle instructions to reduce mortality risks and prevent patients from leaving against medical advice.

Read More