SHILLONG: The fate of a 55-year- old woman patient hangs in balance at the ICCU of NEIGRIHMS as surgery could not be performed on Friday.
Hailing from Mawphlang, she was admitted on May 5 following a heart attack and was posted for surgery on May 6 but due to the stalemate in the institute, the surgery could not be done as per schedule.
As the days passed, her condition deteriorated and on Friday she was put on life support system.
It was informed that authorities are trying to procure the required materials from an outside source, but it may take days and time is precious in these circumstances.
After the state government convened the meeting of the Head of the Cardiology Department, NEIGRIHMS Director, representatives of the AMRIT pharmacy and an official from the Union Health Ministry as per the direction of the High Court, the representatives of the AMRIT pharmacy had assured to provide the inventory within five to six hours.
However, it was informed that they failed to do so and whatever materials they have in the institute’s pharmacy is not enough.
The doctors of the cardiology department went to the pharmacy but out of the fifteen listed items, only three were available. It was also informed that the pharmacy even denied issuing the ‘not available’ certificate as was done in the past. Although minor surgeries were performed on four of the14 patients, the most crucial and critical surgery of the 55- year- old woman remained undone.
It was informed that she needed a stent earlier but now also requires an Impella, which is a device used for temporary ventricular support in people with depressed heart function and is costly and not readily available.
Meanwhile, state Health Minister AL Hek said the Health Secretary Parvin Bakshi has been deputed to monitor the NEIGRIHMS problem and constant monitoring is on.