Cuttack, Oct. 9: The SCB Medical College and Hospital’s cardiology department, which is a part of the Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences, lacks equipment and proper infrastructure.

An advocates’ committee on health services, appointed by Orissa High Court, expressed concern over such deficiencies during a visit on Saturday. The panel reviewed the existing infrastructure following a complaint from a patient from Nuapada, who had to be shifted to a Bhubaneswar-based hospital because of lack of a ventilator at the cardiology department.

“The unit is running neglected as the equipment have become obsolete. There are no ventilators at the ICCU. Similarly, no doctor-in-charge remains present there in the evening,” said committee member Pravat Ranjan Dash.

The institute was planned to combine the cardiology and cardiothoracic departments into one independent facility. Apart from providing advanced treatment with heart ailments, it aims to promote research and imparting education and training.

In November 2010, chief minister Naveen Patnaik inaugurated the advanced cardiac research centre.

Official sources said the eight-bed intensive coronary care unit (ICCU) lacked ventilators. As a result, patients had to be shifted either to the central intensive care unit in the hospital or a private nursing home with ventilator support.

The ventilator in the operation theatre is not adequate for patient with post-surgery complications.

“It is surprising that there is not a single ventilator at the ICCU and the advanced cardiac research centre and authorities have taken no step to resolve the issue,” said Sharada Prasanna Sarangi, a patient’s attendant.

Apart from the ventilator, the unit also lacks a central oxygen-supply unit, where, of the eight advanced monitors, one is functioning.

The unit is located on fourth floor at the institute building, and since the lift is not spacious, the patients have to be carried upstairs on stretchers.

On an average, 150 patients turn up at the outdoor unit of cardiology department everyday, and at least, four get admitted at the ward. However, the bed strength is 40 with one ICCU with eight beds.

The department has been functioning at the surgery department building for the past two years.

Head of the cardiology department Trinath Mishra said steps were being taken to resolve the issues.