Gorakhpur, Uttar Pradesh: Questions have emerged over the availability of advanced cardiac care facilities at AIIMS Gorakhpur after the institute's Executive Director, Major General (Retd.) Dr. Vibha Dutta, was taken to a private hospital for further medical evaluation following a sudden health concern.
According to reports, Dr. Dutta experienced health complications on Wednesday and was initially taken to the emergency department of AIIMS Gorakhpur. Doctors provided immediate medical attention, following which her condition stabilised.
However, as a precautionary measure, she was subsequently shifted to a private hospital equipped with a Cath Lab for further cardiac assessment. The evaluation was intended to determine whether she required a pacemaker. Medical examinations eventually indicated that the procedure was unnecessary, and she returned home later that evening.
A senior AIIMS doctor also confirmed that her condition had stabilised following the initial treatment at the institute and that the transfer was made for further precautionary evaluation.
The incident has brought renewed attention to the delay in making the Cath Lab facility functional at AIIMS Gorakhpur. A Cath Lab is an essential medical setup used for diagnosing and treating various heart-related conditions, including procedures such as angiography and angioplasty.
Responding to concerns over the facility's availability, AIIMS Gorakhpur stated on Friday that approximately 70 per cent of the work required to operationalise its Cath Lab had been completed.
The institute further explained that the necessary medical equipment and machinery were in the process of delivery. Officials are working to complete the remaining requirements and make the facility operational at the earliest.
According to a senior AIIMS doctor, the Cath Lab is expected to become functional by December 2026.
Once operational, the facility is expected to strengthen advanced cardiac care services for patients from Gorakhpur, other districts of Uttar Pradesh and neighbouring states.
The episode has once again highlighted the importance of timely development of specialised healthcare infrastructure at major government medical institutions, where patients depend on access to advanced treatment facilities.
