Shortage of Reagents halts open heart surgeries at Chhattisgarh's Dr Bhimrao Ambedkar Hospital

Raipur: A critical shortage of reagents has led to a suspension of open-heart surgeries at Dr Bhimrao Ambedkar Hospital, the largest government hospital in Chhattisgarh. The situation, which has persisted for the past four months, has left numerous economically disadvantaged patients in distress, forcing many to seek costly private healthcare alternatives.

The hospital has been unable to perform open heart surgeries because the reagents required for pre-surgical tests and monitoring during the procedures are in short supply. These reagents are crucial for accurate diagnostics and safe surgical operations, and their absence has halted all scheduled cardiac surgeries.

The reagent shortage has been attributed to supply chain disruptions and logistical issues, compounding the challenges faced by the hospital in maintaining its comprehensive healthcare services. The scarcity of these vital materials has left the hospital struggling to manage its surgical schedule and address the needs of its patients.

The suspension of surgeries at Ambedkar Hospital has significant implications for patients, especially those who are financially dependent on government healthcare services. Many of these individuals were already facing critical health issues and now face additional delays and uncertainties regarding their treatment.

Madan Gopal, a security guard from Korba district, exemplifies the challenges faced by patients affected by the reagent shortage. Gopal’s family has been forced to take out loans to afford private treatment after discovering that surgeries at Dr Bhimrao Ambedkar Hospital were on hold due to the shortage.

"We were referred to Raipur AIIMS, and then further referred to Ambedkar Hospital. But we were told that surgeries are on hold there. After another visit to AIIMS, we were told the waiting period was too long for my father's condition, so we are now struggling to arrange funds for private treatment," Mr Gopal's son Ankush Kumar said, referring to the All India Institute of Medical Sciences, as reported by NDTV.

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Dr KK Sahu, Head of the Department of Advanced Cardiac Care, explained that without the reagent, the heart-lung machine, which is crucial for monitoring and maintaining the patient’s vital signs during the procedure, cannot function properly, putting the patient’s survival at risk.

In response to the medical crisis, state Health Minister Shyam Bihari Jaiswal said, "The necessary equipment has been approved for purchase. The old system is being replaced. The dean will be authorised to buy equipment worth up to ₹ 25 lakh, with emergency purchases of up to ₹ 5 lakh".

Ambedkar Hospital, a crucial provider of essential medical services in Raipur, has been compelled to suspend open-heart surgeries due to an acute shortage of reagents. These substances are critical for conducting pre-surgical tests and monitoring patients during surgery. The reagent deficit has halted all scheduled cardiac procedures, impacting many patients who depend on the government healthcare system for life-saving treatment.

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