Perfusionists Demand Stricter Training for Heart Surgeries

Clinical perfusionists, who manage the heart-lung machine during open-heart procedures, require more stringent training and professional acknowledgment, according to Bengaluru Rural MP C.N. Manjunath. He stated that institutions offering perfusion technology courses must conduct open-heart surgeries to provide students with essential practical exposure. Inadequate clinical training, he warned, could compromise the profession's integrity, especially with advancing cardiac procedures and technologies like ECMO.

India conducts an estimated 3 to 4 lakh open-heart surgeries annually, indicating significant employment opportunities for well-trained perfusionists. The Karnataka Clinical Perfusionists Association (KCPA) is actively seeking to elevate the profession's status. They aim for clear classification under the National Commission for Allied and Healthcare Professions (NCAHP), underscoring the need for an active role within the Allied Health Council.