Padma Shri neurosurgeon Ashok Kumar Mahapatra dies in New Delhi
The former AIIMS Bhubaneswar director was known for leading the 2017 surgical separation of conjoined twins Jaga and Balia.
Eminent neurosurgeon and Padma Shri awardee Professor Ashok Kumar Mahapatra died at 9.15 pm on Monday while receiving care at AIIMS, New Delhi. He was 73 years old, according to Deccan Chronicle.
The medical professional had been unwell for some time. He first sought medical attention at a private facility in Bhubaneswar due to a severe headache, but was moved to the New Delhi hospital on October 2 as his health declined.
Mahapatra gained national prominence in 2017 for heading the multidisciplinary team that successfully separated the craniopagus twins, Jaga and Balia. He was also the first director of AIIMS Bhubaneswar, a role he held from 2012 to 2016.
His career included serving as the director of the Sanjay Gandhi Postgraduate Institute of Medical Sciences (SGPGIMS) in Lucknow between 2006 and 2009. He also spent nearly 36 years at AIIMS, New Delhi, where he led the Department of Neurosurgery.
Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi expressed grief on social media, stating that Mahapatra's passing was an irreparable loss. The Chief Minister noted that the physician had made outstanding contributions to medical science and brought pride to the nation.
Mahapatra received the Padma Shri in 2024 and the C.V. Raman Award for Scientific Excellence in 2022. He completed his medical studies at MKCG Medical College and Hospital, Berhampur, after schooling in the Puri district.