Latest news with #SCBMCH
New Indian Express
a day ago
- Health
- New Indian Express
Uncertainty looms over liver transplant services at SCB MCH, Orissa HC takes note
Cuttack: The Orissa High Court has taken serious note of the uncertainty over the future of liver transplantation services at the state-run SCB MCH in Cuttack due to the lapse of a crucial partnership agreement. On July 18, the division bench comprising Justice SK Sahoo and Justice V Narasingh sought clarity on the issue from the hospital authorities. During the hearing, SCB MCH superintendent Prof Goutam Satapathy informed the court that no eligible patient had been denied transplantation solely due to the expiration of the MoU with AIG, Hyderabad, from April 1, 2025. He assured the bench that efforts were underway to finalise a new MoU with MGM Healthcare, Chennai, to ensure continuity of the life-saving service. The court has scheduled the next hearing for July 31, stressing the urgency of the matter. The liver transplant unit at SCB MCH was established in 2022, backed by a sanctioned fund of Rs 22 crore. The goal was to provide liver transplants free of cost to the people of Odisha. Under the original MoU, a team from AIG Hyderabad provided technical and procedural support to SCB MCH to conduct two liver transplants - the first on April 3, 2024, and the second on September 9, 2024. The collaboration was designed to continue until the hospital developed its own fully-trained transplant team. However, the current vacuum in specialised trained staff has raised concerns about the sustainability of the programme.
New Indian Express
2 days ago
- Health
- New Indian Express
No ray of hope for patients as official machinations stall BMT at Odisha's SCB MCH
Meanwhile, the state health administration seems to be engaged in what appears to be an elaborate ploy of delay and diversion. On July 11, when the Orissa High Court took note of a TNIE news report on the situation of BMT at SCB MCH, state Health secretary Aswathy S, appearing virtually, assured that steps are being taken to restart the procedure immediately under the supervision of a retired faculty of AIIMS-Bhubaneswar Dr PK Das. One associate professor and two assistant professors of the clinical haematology department are technically qualified to conduct the bone marrow transplant and will be mentored by Dr Das to restart BMT, she told the court. But the plan has not moved an inch since. And, here lies the catch: BMT is not a short-term skill, it requires at least a year of intensive hands-on training under strict international protocols. What is worse and contrary to the submissions of the Health secretary in the high court is the SCB MCH's admission that none of the faculty members of the haematology department including the above three possess any formal training, experience, or certification in BMT procedure. Citing this, the SCB MCH superintendent has written to the DMET seeking facilitation of training process including selection of institute and finances. However, sources said, 'Restarting BMT on the basis of fresh training will take a minimum of one year, possibly more. By then, many more Saritas will be lost.' Meanwhile, Health minister Mukesh Mahaling and the Health secretary also do not seem to be on the same page. Despite the minister, in a recent note to the secretary, directing expeditious steps for re-engagement of Prof Jena in the larger interest of patients, patient care and haematology students, no action has been forthcoming. As per usual practice, a professor after retirement is re-engaged on contractual basis for at least a period of four years till he attains 70. In case of Prof Jena, the Health department relieved him after just one year in March this year. Health secretary Aswathy S did not respond to calls and messages from TNIE for her comments on the issue.
New Indian Express
5 days ago
- New Indian Express
Man cries police inaction in minor daughter's abduction, consumes poison in Odisha's Kendrapara
KENDRAPARA: A 45-year-old man consumed poison on Wednesday evening alleging police inaction in the case of his minor daughter's kidnapping which took place more than a month back. The victim, Kalpataru Ojha of Tantiapala area, is battling for life in SCB Medical College and Hospital in Cuttack while his 16-year-old daughter has still not been traced. Ojha's wife alleged that a 24-year-old youth of Chakada Gogua village within Tantiapala Marine police limits kidnapped her daughter on May 27. Though her husband approached police several times requesting to trace their daughter, the cops reportedly did not take any action in the case. 'Unable to bear the shock of our daughter's kidnapping coupled with the slipshod attitude of the police, my husband consumed poison,' she claimed. Ojha was first admitted to the community health centre at Rajnagar. He was later shifted to SCB MCH after his condition deteriorated, she added. IIC of Tantiapala Marine police station Kishor Chandra Tarai said Ojha had lodged an FIR on May 28 alleging that his minor daughter was kidnapped by one Rajendra Jena. The girl is a Class X student of the local school. Acting on the complaint, police filed a case under relevant sections of BNS and Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act. 'We have formed a team to arrest the accused and rescue the minor girl. We are also interrogating the accused youth's family members and friends to know about his hideouts. A police team also visited Hyderabad and other places in connection with the case. On Thursday, we came to know that the girl's father consumed poison. An investigation has been launched into the incident,' Tarai added.
Time of India
12-07-2025
- Health
- Time of India
Bone marrow transplant to resume at SCB under mentor, govt tells HC
Cuttack: The state govt informed the Orissa high court on Friday that bone marrow transplant (BMT) services at SCB Medical College and Hospital (SCBMCH), Cuttack — the state's only facility offering free BMT — will resume shortly under the guidance of an honorary mentor. A division bench of Justices S K Sahoo and V Narasingh, hearing a petition seeking urgent steps to ensure proper functioning of SCBMCH's haematology department noted that the transplant service had been halted following the retirement of the department's professor. The petition cited a media report. Health secretary Aswathy S, appearing in the virtual mode, informed the court that while an associate professor and two assistant professors are currently posted and technically qualified, they had only assisted the now-retired professor and lacked confidence to independently carry out transplants. To bridge this gap, Dr. Prabodh Kumar Das, a retired haematology specialist from AIIMS, has agreed to act as an honorary mentor. He is expected to oversee transplant procedures at SCBMCH and provide hands-on supervision to the existing faculty. Instructions for co-ordinating with Dr. Das have already been issued to the superintendent of SCBMCH, the health secretary told the bench. The court was further informed that the govt is drafting standard operating procedures (SOPs) to make mentoring by professors mandatory, ensuring continuity of specialised services after retirements or transfers. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Đây có thể là thời điểm tốt nhất để giao dịch vàng trong 5 năm qua IC Markets Tìm hiểu thêm Undo A committee has been constituted to finalise these guidelines. Aswathy also said the health department has proposed institutional tie-ups with top transplant centres across the country to support transplant operations and faculty training in Odisha. The proposal is currently awaiting govt approval. The bench directed the SCBMCH superintendent and the health secretary to file affidavits detailing the steps being taken for the smooth functioning of the haematology department. The matter has been listed for next hearing on Aug 7. The special BMT unit was established in SCBMCH in Feb 2014. The entire procedure from investigations, treatment to recovery is free and all costs are borne by the govt. Generally, the procedure costs Rs 15 lakh to Rs 30 lakh. Starting in April 2014 with autologous transplants, the unit has so far successfully conducted 180 transplants with a high survival rate. The last transplant was performed at the unit in Feb 2025.
New Indian Express
07-07-2025
- Business
- New Indian Express
3.5 years on, evicted traders of CMC market complex yet to be rehabilitated
CUTTACK: Over three-and-a-half years have passed, but the Cuttack administration is yet to rehabilitate the 30 shopkeepers that it had evicted during the demolition of the CMC market complex in Ranihat to facilitate easy access to SCB medical college and hospital. Sources said, after the state government initiated steps for expansion of SCB MCH, the 30 shop owners who ran their stores in the CMC market complex were evicted and the structure demolished in November 2021 for expansion of the Taladanda Canal road to improve connectivity to the hospital. During eviction, the administration had provided cheques amounting to Rs 1 lakh to each affected shopkeeper towards compensation, and assured to rehabilitate them by constructing a market complex on a piece of land near Ranihat High School within six months. However due to some issues, the administration changed its decision and decided to construct the market complex adjacent to the land allotted to OPTCL for construction of grid station. Accordingly, a detailed project report (DPR) was prepared and tender floated by Odisha Bridge & Construction Corporation Limited (OBCC) for construction of a modern multi-purpose market complex before the general election. However, the new BJP government cancelled it after coming to power. 'Now in the last one year, the DPR has been changed thrice but the authorities concerned are yet to take a final decision. With no income to maintain their families, some of the evicted shopkeepers are under acute mental stress,' said former local corporator Bijay Kumar Sahoo, urging the administration to rehabilitate them soon. Collector Dattatraya Bhausaheb Shinde and mayor Subhas Singh could not be reached for their comments.
