LUCKNOW, March 24 -- An acute dearth of doctors, nursing and paramedical staff has hampered the full use of the newly constructed cardiology block at King George's Medical University (KGMU), leaving hundreds of cardiac patients struggling to access timely treatment. Despite the building being ready for nearly one and a half years, with all essential equipment and beds already in place, patient admission there remains limited. Acknowledging the delay, KGMU spokesperson Prof KK Singh said a proposal has been sent to the state government in this regard for approval. "As soon as the proposal is accepted, the HDUs (high dependency units) will become operational, benefiting heart patients," he said. "Efforts are also being made to facilitate maximum patients coming to the emergency and OPD of Lari Cardiology," he added. The newly constructed building, which houses 96 beds, was envisioned as a major step towards easing this burden. The facility was inaugurated on July 14, 2025, but even after nearly nine months, full-scale operations remain stalled. At present, admissions have started in only 28 beds; the remaining 68 beds are yet to be utilised. Cardiology patients at 80 beds in the old building are also being admitted. The department has only 11 senior doctors, apart from resident doctors, and is grappling with a lack of adequate nursing staff and paramedical support. This has made it difficult to start services in the newly built wards. Officials also pointed to slow administrative follow-up, which has further delayed the deployment of required staff and resources. As a result, critically ill cardiac patients continue to face hardships, often struggling to secure timely admission. Healthcare experts warn that unless urgent steps are taken to address the staffing gap and streamline administrative processes, the new facility may continue to remain underutilised, defeating its very purpose of expanding cardiac care capacity in the state capital. More than 400 patients visit the outpatient department (OPD) daily, while over 150 patients reach the emergency unit each day. However, the old Lari building currently accommodates only around 80 beds....