India, May 22 -- Ending years of wait and overcoming several challenges, open-heart surgery services at the MKCG Medical College and Hospital in Berhampur are now set to become operational.

A major hurdle had been the absence of a trained perfusionist, a critical operator responsible for handling the heart-lung machine during cardiac surgeries. Due to this, patients in need of complex cardiac procedures were forced to seek treatment at expensive private hospitals.

After the issue was brought to the attention of the Directorate of Medical Education and Training (DMET), a perfusionist was deputed from SCB Medical College and Hospital in Cuttack to the MKCG Hospital. With this development, patients suffering from heart ailments will be ab...