SCB Hospital in Cuttack performed just two liver transplants since 2022 as Rs 22 crore equipment lies idle

According to a report by OTV, the liver transplant programme at the SCB Medical College and Hospital (SCBMCH) in Cuttack has faced significant operational hurdles, with services reportedly suspended for nearly two years. The facility, which serves as a premier medical institution in Odisha, had established a dedicated liver transplant unit following a memorandum of understanding with AIG Hospitals in Visakhapatnam. This unit, which includes a modular operation theatre and an isolation ward, was developed at an estimated cost of Rs 22 crore.

Despite the substantial investment in medical infrastructure, the report indicates that the facility has only completed two liver transplants since the programme's inception in 2022, with those procedures occurring in April and September 2024. Following these surgeries, the programme allegedly ceased operations, leaving the specialized equipment largely idle. Concerns have been raised regarding the effective utilization of these resources and the resulting impact on patient access to affordable transplant care in the region.

The report cites a shortage of experienced senior medical personnel as a primary factor contributing to the suspension of services. As of now, there has been no official statement from the hospital administration or the state health department addressing the specific claims regarding the equipment's status or the timeline for the potential resumption of the transplant programme. The situation remains a point of concern for patients awaiting specialized care at the state-run facility.