न्यूज़व्यूज़पोस्ट
Growing backlog at the premier institute
Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute for Medical Sciences and Technology (SCTIMST) in Thiruvananthapuram is again under criticism for extensive delays in surgical care, with patients waiting six months to a year for cardiac operations and over four months for neurosurgical procedures. The institute, which operates under the Department of Science and Technology, has also seen a rise in last‑minute cancellations of scheduled appointments. These waiting periods are far longer than the national average for tertiary care centres and have become a source of anxiety for families who travel long distances to access the institute’s specialised services.
The backlog is not limited to a single department; it reflects a systemic strain on the institute’s capacity to manage both emergency and elective cases. While emergency surgeries are prioritised, the inability to run operations round‑the‑clock means that elective slots are repeatedly pushed back, creating a cascading effect on the waiting list. Patients who have already undergone pre‑operative investigations often find their dates shifted at short notice, forcing them to rearrange travel, accommodation and work commitments.
Such prolonged delays have broader implications for public health. When a leading institution like SCTIMST cannot accommodate its scheduled caseload, the pressure shifts to nearby private hospitals, where treatment costs are substantially higher. This not only increases out‑of‑pocket expenditure for patients but also risks widening health inequities, as those without sufficient financial resources may defer essential surgery altogether.
Political and administrative response
Lok Sabha member Kodikkunnil Suresh raised the issue in Parliament, urging an urgent resolution to the patient‑care bottleneck. A senior administrator acknowledged the surge in patient volume, noting that the current load would require “three SCTIMSTs” to restore reasonable waiting times. The official added that political leaders frequently request priority slots for constituents, but the institute must adhere to a uniform queue to maintain fairness.
In response to the parliamentary query, the Department of Science and Technology has promised a review of the appointment‑scheduling protocol. The department’s spokesperson indicated that any deviation from the standard queue would set a precedent that could compromise the institute’s merit‑based allocation system. While the promise of a review is a positive step, critics argue that concrete timelines and accountability mechanisms are still missing.
Historically, similar appeals have led to short‑term measures such as temporary staff augmentations or the re‑allocation of operating theatre time. However, without addressing the underlying capacity constraints, such measures tend to provide only fleeting relief.
Underlying causes: staff attrition and resource constraints
For several years SCTIMST has struggled with a shortage of faculty, especially in cardiac and neurosurgery specialties. In the past two years, four senior cardiac surgeons and two neurosurgeons have left, with another neurosurgeon on extended leave. Staff members cite limited opportunities for professional growth, cumbersome approval processes for conference participation, and a restrictive work environment as reasons for the exodus. The loss of experienced surgeons not only reduces the number of procedures that can be performed each day but also places additional workload on the remaining faculty, contributing to burnout and further attrition.
Equipment shortages compound the problem. Delayed payments to suppliers have stalled the procurement and maintenance of critical devices, leading to reduced operational efficiency. Sources report that requisitions are piling up due to procedural hurdles, and no proactive measures have been taken to expedite the process. When essential items such as heart‑lung machines or neuro‑imaging accessories are unavailable, surgeries are either postponed or performed with sub‑optimal equipment, raising concerns about patient safety and clinical outcomes.
The combination of human resource gaps and equipment deficits creates a feedback loop: fewer surgeries mean lower revenue for the institute, which in turn limits its ability to invest in new technology or retain senior staff. This cycle is a common challenge in many public sector hospitals that rely on central funding and rigid procurement rules.
Infrastructure expansion not yet functional
A new nine‑storey, 270,000‑square‑foot building, constructed under the Prime Minister’s Swasthya Suraksha Yojana (PMSSY), was recently inaugurated. The complex includes nine operation theatres, three cath labs, and advanced imaging suites. However, only the outpatient department and pay‑ward facilities are currently operational; the surgical theatres and other critical units remain unopened, further limiting the institute’s capacity to address the backlog.
Delays in commissioning the new facilities have been attributed to pending clearances, staffing shortages, and the need for specialized equipment that has not yet been installed. Until the operation theatres become functional, the institute cannot translate the expanded physical space into additional surgical throughput. Experts suggest that a coordinated rollout plan, linking infrastructure readiness with recruitment drives and equipment procurement, is essential to unlock the building’s full potential.
Impact on patients and the broader health system
The prolonged waiting periods force many patients to seek treatment elsewhere, often at higher out‑of‑pocket costs, straining families and the private health sector. Emergency cases receive priority, but the inability to run surgeries round‑the‑clock raises concerns about infection control and decision‑making quality. The cumulative effect undermines public confidence in a flagship institution meant to provide cutting‑edge, affordable care.
For patients from distant states, the financial burden includes travel, accommodation, and lost wages during the extended waiting period. Some families report selling assets or taking high‑interest loans to cover the costs of private care when public options become untenable. This not only affects individual households but also places additional demand on social welfare schemes that aim to support low‑income patients.
From a system‑wide perspective, the bottleneck at SCTIMST reduces the overall efficiency of India’s referral network. Referral hospitals downstream experience fewer referrals, while upstream primary care centres encounter increased pressure to manage conditions that would otherwise be escalated to tertiary care.
Why this matters to Himachal Pradesh readers
Residents of Himachal Pradesh, like those across India, rely on national referral hospitals for complex procedures unavailable locally. Delays at SCTIMST can affect patients from the state who travel to the capital for cardiac or neurosurgical care, extending their treatment timelines and increasing financial burdens. Moreover, the situation highlights systemic challenges—faculty retention, equipment funding, and bureaucratic inertia—that are common across public hospitals, informing local advocacy for better health infrastructure and transparent governance.
Himachal’s own public hospitals face similar issues of staff turnover and delayed equipment upgrades. Observing the SCTIMST case can motivate state policymakers to streamline recruitment, simplify approval processes for professional development, and ensure timely payments to suppliers, thereby preventing a repeat of the backlog scenario in local institutions.
What readers should know
- Patients facing long waits can explore alternative government hospitals or seek referral to private facilities with insurance coverage.
- For emergency medical needs, dial 108 for ambulance services.
- Complaints about appointment cancellations or service delays can be directed to the Department of Science and Technology’s grievance portal.
- Stay informed about scheduled surgeries and maintain a personal record of appointment confirmations to reduce the impact of last‑minute changes.
- Consider joining patient support groups that share updates on waiting times and provide collective advocacy for faster resolution.
Featured image: representational, AI generated.
