Odisha: PC Rath Takes Charge As President Of Cardiological Society of India

Bhubaneswar: Cardiologist from Odisha Dr P C Rath recently took over as the president of Cardiological Society of India (CSI) for the year 2023-2024, at its annual conference in Kolkata.

As president of society, he will coordinate with different state branches and different cardiological societies of other countries. He will also coordinate with government of India and state governments to formulate different healthcare policies, a release said, adding that the next annual conference under his leadership will be held in Lucknow in December 2024.

Congratulatory notes poured in for Rath from medical fraternity in Odisha as he became the first Odia to occupy the post.

He completed his MBBS in 1979 from the erstwhile VSS Medical College, Burla, and his MD from SCB Medical College, Cuttack, in 1983. He then did DM in Cardiology from Christian Medical College, Vellore, in 1986. He was also awarded Fellowship in Interventional Cardiology from University of Rounce, France.

Rath was the first to perform carotid stenting in India, using the protection device. He was also the pioneer in drug-eluting stent in the Asia-Pacific region. He was nominated by the Odisha government for the Padma Shri in 2014.

The platinum jubilee conference Of CSI in Kolkata on December 9 was attended by more than 4000 delegates from India and abroad with 47 international faculty members from the USA, Europe, Africa, Argentina and Russia. There were special sessions on women and cardiovascular health, pollution and cardiovascular health and latest interventional techniques.

Cardiologists from around the world, who congregated at the summit, raised an alarm on the escalating mortality rates attributed to heart ailments linked to air pollution. Explaining the insidious impact of air pollution on the cardiovascular system, they emphasised that finer particulate matter induces inflammation in the arteries, heart and blood vessels, catalysing various heart problems. Unlike its immediate impact on the respiratory system, air pollution silently takes a toll on the heart, often leading to lethal consequences, they added.

The CSI has more than 5000 cardiologists as members. The society was started by Bharat Ratna awardee Dr B C Roy, who was its first president and subsequently became the Chief Minister of West Bengal.