Eminent neurosurgeon Prof Ashok Mahapatra passes away

Bhubaneswar: Eminent neurosurgeon and former Vice-Chancellor of the SOA Deemed to be University Prof. (Dr) Ashok Kumar Mahapatra passed away while under treatment at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi tonight.

Prof. (Dr.) Mahapatra, who was counted among the top neurosurgeons of the world, was suffering from Glioblastoma, a form of brain cancer. He was airlifted to AIIMS, New Delhi for treatment on September 27 last and had undergone surgery on October 5.

Prof. (Dr.) Mahapatra, 74, is survived by his wife and a daughter.

He had provided leadership to the neurosurgery department at AIIMS, New Delhi, as its head. He had also served the Sanjay Gandhi Institute of Medical Sciences, Lucknow, as its Director.

Prof. (Dr.) Mahapatra was instrumental in the establishment of the AIIMS at Bhubaneswar as he was appointed its first Director.

After his superannuation, he joined the Institute of Medical Sciences and SUM Hospital under SOA Deemed to be University as its Advisor (Medical Sciences). He took over as Vice- Chancellor of SOA in 2020 and served in that capacity for two years.

At the end of his tenure, he continued to guide the university as its Principal Advisor (Health Sciences).

The mortal remains of Prof. (Dr ) Mahapatra will be brought to Bhubaneswar tomorrow for the last rites.

Prof. (Dr.) Manojranjan Nayak, Founder President of SOA, deeply condoled the passing away of Prof.(Dr.) Mahapatra describing it as a huge loss to the medical fraternity.

He was regarded as a colossus in the realms of neuro surgery and guided many budding talents in the field. His absence will be felt acutely, he said in a condolence message.

SOA Vice-Chancellor Prof. Pradipta Kumar Nanda also expressed his shock at the passing away of Prof. (Dr.) Mahapatra while hailing his immense contribution towards the growth of the university.