In Chennai in one of the centers, doctors said the average waiting time for patients requiring surgery is two to four months. Picture used only for representative purposes Photo Credit: Getty Images
At least 300 patients in government hospitals across Tamil Nadu are waiting for cardiotoraca surgery, with waiting time ranging from 1.5 to 3 months. Among the 36 government hospitals in the field of medical faculties, their associated institutions and independent super specialized centers in the state, only a handful of cardiotoracal surgery (CTS) and not all are full units with adequate personnel cast, leading to life intervention.
Reliable sources at the medical department and questions with doctors throughout the state have shown that several patients were in a number of government hospitals in a number of government hospitals. Although officially recognized, the lack of cardiotorac surgeons in the government medical sector TN remains unresolved.
There are not enough surgeons
Currently, the Gandhi Government Hospital, the Stanley Medical College Hospital, the Government Multi Super Specialties Hospital, the Estate and Kalaignar Centenary Super Special Hospital in Chennai; Government Rajaji Hospital, Madurai, Coimbatore Medical College Hospital, Mohan Kumaramangalam Medical College Hospital, Salem and Tirunelvel Medical College Hospital have operating centers, but not all have the full power of surgeons. The Institute of Children (ICH) and Hospital for Children in Chennai is the main center for pediatric cardiac operations.
The Faculty of Medicine in Thanjavur and Tiruchi officially sanctioned the posts of cardiotorack surgeons, but they are either non -functional or insufficient without operations performed in the last four and three years. “Of the 39 tertiary care centers, only nine (including ich) have CTS.
High volume of patient
The physician noted that the volume of patients is high because people from at least four to five districts are referred to at these centers, but cannot provide all patients due to lack of hands. In Chennai in one of the centers, doctors said the average waiting time for patients requiring surgery is two to four months. Some patients had to wait two months after they were admitted to replace the valve. Similarly, in another hospital, patients had to wait 1.5 months after receiving.
“Cardiotoracal surgery includes long operating hours, but the reward remains bad. The government must immediately act to occupy at least 50% of vacancies,” the surgeon said.
Also read: The body of doctors urges the government to deal with a lack of employees in hospitals
Lack of equipment
Another doctor said not all CTS departments are fully equipped. For example, one of the main government hospitals that has a CTS department does not have a functioning intra aortic balloon pump, a widely used mechanical supporting device that improves coronary perfusion to draw the heart to help from any cardiogenic shock.
“One cardiotoracal surgery lasts at least four to five hours. In many government hospitals, surgeons also deal with postoperative care for patients because we do not have an intensified concept,” the surgeon said. The government sector also lacks the concept of heart anesthesol to handle pre- and postoperative patients, another doctor noted. The hospital official acknowledged that there was certainly a lack of CTS surgeons. “However, some surgeons are ready to work in the second shift if more anesthesol and theater employees are assigned,” he said.
Instead of establishing new hospitals, the state government should focus on the equipment of existing institutions with reasonable employees, the doctors said.
Bad reward
The head physician said that delay in regularization and poor remuneration forced a number of graduates without services who completed MCH in CTS and worked in government hospitals to meet the bond requirements to stop the bond. “Some are willing to work in the government sector. There are around 70,000 to 75,000 GBP, but corporate hospitals pay cardiotoracic surgeons 2-3lak,” he said.
Officials of the state health care could not be approached for the reaction.
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Published – August 20, 2025 12:05
