Jharsuguda Cop Discharged After 36-Day ECMO at AIIMS Bhubaneswar
A Jharsuguda woman police officer was discharged from AIIMS Bhubaneswar on July 24 after 36 days on ECMO for ARDS.
A 49-year-old woman police officer from Jharsuguda was discharged from AIIMS Bhubaneswar on July 24, 2026, after recovering from life-threatening Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS) that required 36 days of veno-venous ECMO support. She was admitted to a private corporate hospital in Bhubaneswar on April 18 with severe pneumonia, transferred to AIIMS on May 7, and weaned off ECMO on June 12. Her lungs gradually recovered, allowing removal of mechanical ventilation on June 27 and tracheostomy on June 29, with no supplemental oxygen needed by July 18.
What was her medical condition and treatment timeline?
She developed severe pneumonia leading to ARDS, causing profound hypoxemia. Despite receiving mechanical ventilation and prone positioning at a private corporate hospital in Bhubaneswar, her oxygen levels continued to plummet. On May 7, 2026, she was transferred to AIIMS Bhubaneswar in a critical state. Upon arrival at the Medical Intensive Care Unit, a team led by Dr Srikant Behera initiated veno-venous ECMO.
She remained on continuous ECMO support for 36 days, from May 7 to June 12, while receiving comprehensive intensive care. Her lungs gradually began to recover, allowing doctors to successfully wean her off ECMO on June 12. After ECMO removal, she was taken off mechanical ventilation on June 27. Her tracheostomy tube was removed on June 29.
How did the ECMO therapy proceed and who managed her care?
The ECMO team was led by Dr Srikant Behera, an Intensive Care Medicine expert and ECMO specialist. Veno-venous ECMO took over the function of her failing lungs, allowing them to rest and heal. She received comprehensive intensive care, including monitoring and supportive therapies, throughout the 36-day ECMO period. This advanced life support provided the time needed for lung recovery.
After ECMO was discontinued on June 12, mechanical ventilation was withdrawn on June 27. Her tracheostomy tube was removed on June 29, marking further steps toward recovery. She was then shifted from the MICU to the general medicine ward on July 6. By July 18, she no longer required any supplemental oxygen.
What is her current status and what did AIIMS leadership say?
She was discharged from AIIMS Bhubaneswar on July 24, 2026, after regaining full independence in her daily activities. Executive Director Dr Ashutosh Biswas congratulated the multidisciplinary team on this significant clinical achievement. He said, “This case highlights AIIMS Bhubaneswar’s growing capability in advanced intensive care and extracorporeal life support,” adding that the institute is establishing itself as a leading centre for such complex treatments in eastern India.
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Who is the woman police officer treated at AIIMS Bhubaneswar?
A 49-year-old woman police officer from Jharsuguda.
What medical condition did she suffer from?
She had life-threatening Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS) secondary to severe pneumonia.
How long was she on ECMO support?
She remained on veno-venous ECMO for 36 days, from May 7 to June 12, 2026.
When was she admitted to AIIMS Bhubaneswar?
She was transferred to AIIMS Bhubaneswar on May 7, 2026.
Who led the ECMO team at AIIMS Bhubaneswar?
The team was led by Dr Srikant Behera, an Intensive Care Medicine expert and ECMO specialist.
When was she weaned off ECMO?
ECMO was discontinued on June 12, 2026.
When was she taken off mechanical ventilation?
Mechanical ventilation was withdrawn on June 27, 2026.
When was her tracheostomy tube removed?
Her tracheostomy tube was removed on June 29, 2026.
When was she shifted to the general medicine ward?
She was moved from the MICU to the general ward on July 6, 2026.
When did she no longer need supplemental oxygen?
By July 18, 2026, she required no supplemental oxygen.
When was she discharged from AIIMS Bhubaneswar?
She was discharged on July 24, 2026.
What did the Executive Director of AIIMS Bhubaneswar say about the case?
Dr Ashutosh Biswas said the case highlights the hospital’s growing capability in advanced intensive care and extracorporeal life support, and that the institute is establishing itself as a leading centre for such treatments in eastern India.
Rakesh Pradhan
District Correspondent, Jharsuguda
Rakesh Pradhan reports on Jharsuguda's industrial corridor, power and aluminium sector news, and civic administration for the Mirror.
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