The working director of AIIMS Gorakhpur, Major General (Retd) Vibha Datta, felt unwell on Wednesday. She was taken to a private hospital for heart examinations because the catheterization laboratory (Cath Lab) at AIIMS Gorakhpur has not yet been launched. Previously, doctors at AIIMS provided her with assistance in the emergency department, after which her condition stabilized.
Later, as a precaution, she was transferred to a private clinic where catheterization is possible. Vibha Datta was admitted to the private hospital around 5:00 PM. Doctors conducted an examination to determine if she required a pacemaker. It was determined after the check that a pacemaker was not necessary. She returned home around 8:00 PM.
According to a senior doctor at AIIMS Gorakhpur, Vibha Datta's condition stabilized after initial treatment. The doctor noted that her health is currently fine, and her visit to the private hospital was merely a preventive measure for further examinations.
This incident raised questions about why the catheterization service is not operational at AIIMS Gorakhpur. This is particularly relevant given that the institution's executive director had to seek heart examination at a private hospital. AIIMS Gorakhpur later reported that about 70 percent of the work related to launching the catheterization laboratory is complete. According to the institution, the necessary medical instruments and equipment are expected to arrive, and completion work will continue for the prompt launch of the laboratory.
In the opinion of the senior doctor at AIIMS, the catheterization laboratory is expected to start operations by December. After its launch, patients from Gorakhpur, as well as from other districts of Uttar Pradesh and neighboring states, will be able to receive necessary heart-related services and treatment within their region. These procedures include angiography and angioplasty.
The foundation stone of AIIMS Gorakhpur was laid by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on July 22, 2016, as part of the Public Health Plan. After Yogi Adityanath became the Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh in 2017, the pace of the project accelerated, and numerous construction obstacles were removed. Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the outpatient department of AIIMS Gorakhpur on February 24, 2019, and the entire complex was grandly opened on December 7, 2021.
Currently, AIIMS Gorakhpur is focused on completing the remaining work related to the catheterization laboratory. Upon its launch, the institution's capabilities in cardiology will be strengthened, and patients will not have to travel far to receive quality treatment.