Cuttack: The authorities of SCB Medical College and Hospital in Cuttack on Saturday started the screening of patients for heart transplantation.
Speaking to media persons in the city, Health & Family Welfare Minister Mukesh Mahaling said as per the decision of the state government, the screening was started under its heart transplantation programme.
Stating that it was for the first time that a heart transplantation programme was being taken up at a government hospital in the state. The transplantation would start after the entire process is over, he added.
“After the patients are identified and brain-dead donors are available, we will retrieve the heart within four hours and start the transplantation process as per the government norms, relevant Act and medical procedures,” he said.
Earlier, the Directorate of Medical Education and Training (DMET) had signed an MoU with Chennai-based MGM Healthcare to facilitate heart transplantation procedures at SCB Hospital.
The representatives of MGM Healthcare were present during screening of the patients.