Open-heart surgeries at Thrissur Medical College have been suspended for over three weeks, leaving more than 50 patients in limbo. The cardiac surgeon halted operations, citing the inefficiency of support technicians handling critical surgical equipment.
The lone surgeon escalated the issue to the college principal, prompting the formation of a three-member expert committee. The committee advised further review by a qualified cardiac surgeon, but no action has been taken by the Directorate of Medical Education, even though the report was submitted a week ago.
The hospital used to perform two open-heart surgeries per week, but six have already been cancelled, including those scheduled for patients who had waited over six months.
The crisis in Thrissur mirrors the growing dysfunction seen at Thiruvananthapuram Medical College, where equipment shortages and bureaucratic delays recently pushed a senior surgeon to the brink of resignation.
The ongoing paralysis across major government hospitals is sparking serious concerns about systemic neglect and poor administrative response. For patients waiting on critical heart procedures, the delay isn’t just frustrating — it’s potentially life-threatening.