Naveen Patnaik undergoes successful cervical arthritis surgery at Mumbai hospital
BJD chief and former Odisha chief minister Naveen Patnaik with supporters before leaving for Mumbai to undergo cervical arthritis surgery, at his residence in Bhubaneswar | PTI
Biju Janata Dal (BJD) supremo and former Odisha chief minister Naveen Patnaik, 78, successfully underwent surgery for cervical arthritis at Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital in Mumbai on Sunday.
Patnaik, who is the leader of the opposition in the state assembly, had gone to Mumbai on June 20.
His surgery has created a massive sympathy wave among party workers and common people in Odisha, with prayers being offered in several temples across the state for his speedy recovery.
There was a huge gathering at his Bhubaneswar residence ‘Naveen Nivas’ and the Biju Patnaik International Airport to see him off when he left the city on Friday.
In Mumbai, the surgical procedure was led by renowned cardiovascular surgeon Dr Ramakanta Panda, who is also Patnaik’s personal physician. It may be recalled that it was Dr Panda who did the heart operation of former prime minister Manmohan Singh.
According to medical sources, Patnaik will remain under observation for two days and will continue in the hospital for another 2-3 more days before being discharged.
Dr Panda told the media that the operation took nearly two hours and Patnaik stayed fine after that.
Dr Rajsekhar, Head of Spine Surgery at Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital, led the surgery on Patnaik’s spine.
According to Dr Panda, the surgery was on two to three inches of spine that was giving Patnaik pain.
He said the former chief minister will return to Odisha after 5 to 7 days. In Odisha, politicians from different parties have wished him a speedy recovery.
India