Odisha has lost one of its most distinguished medical personalities. Renowned neurosurgeon, Padma Shri awardee and former Director of AIIMS Bhubaneswar, Professor Dr. Ashok Kumar Mahapatra, passed away on Monday, November 2, 2026, at the age of 73. He breathed his last while undergoing treatment at AIIMS New Delhi.
His demise has brought sadness to Odisha’s medical fraternity, academic institutions and people who followed his remarkable contribution to healthcare. Remembered for his expertise in neurosurgery, his leadership in developing medical institutions and his role in the historic separation surgery of conjoined twins Jaga and Balia, Dr. Mahapatra leaves behind a distinguished legacy in Indian medical science.
Born in Odisha, Dr. Mahapatra rose to become one of India’s recognised neurosurgeons through decades of dedication to medical education, research and patient care. His professional journey connected some of the country’s leading medical institutions, including AIIMS New Delhi, AIIMS Bhubaneswar and Sanjay Gandhi Postgraduate Institute of Medical Sciences (SGPGIMS), Lucknow.
Dr. Ashok Kumar Mahapatra Passes Away at 73
According to reports published on November 2, Dr. Ashok Kumar Mahapatra passed away on Monday evening while receiving treatment at AIIMS New Delhi. He had earlier been admitted to SUM Hospital in Bhubaneswar after his health deteriorated. Following the development, he was shifted to AIIMS New Delhi on October 2 for advanced medical care.
His health condition had become a matter of concern among people in Odisha, particularly within the medical and academic communities. His family members and senior officials associated with Siksha ‘O’ Anusandhan (SOA) were involved in coordinating his treatment.
The news of his passing has prompted condolences from political leaders, medical professionals, educational institutions and people from different walks of life.
Dr. Mahapatra was not only known for his surgical expertise but also for his contribution to building medical institutions and strengthening advanced healthcare facilities. His work at AIIMS Bhubaneswar remains an important part of his professional association with Odisha.
From a Village in Puri to the National Medical Stage
Professor Dr. Ashok Kumar Mahapatra was born on December 29, 1952, in Puri district of Odisha. His journey from his hometown to some of India’s most prestigious medical institutions reflects decades of commitment to education and medicine.
He began his medical education at MKCG Medical College in Berhampur in 1970 and completed his MBBS degree in 1975. He subsequently pursued postgraduate studies in surgery and specialised in neurosurgery at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi.
His academic training at AIIMS laid the foundation for a long and distinguished career in neurosurgery.
In 1983, he joined AIIMS New Delhi as a faculty member in the Department of Neurosurgery. Over the years, he progressed through several important academic and professional positions, eventually becoming a senior professor and taking up major leadership responsibilities.
His career at AIIMS New Delhi extended over several decades, during which he contributed to patient treatment, medical education, research and the development of specialised neurosurgical services.
First Director of AIIMS Bhubaneswar
One of the most significant chapters of Dr. Mahapatra’s career was his association with AIIMS Bhubaneswar.
He was appointed the first Director of AIIMS Bhubaneswar in 2012. At that time, the institution was in its early stages of development, with the responsibility of establishing an important national-level medical institution in Odisha.
As its founding Director, he played a significant role in developing the institution’s academic and medical infrastructure.
During his tenure from 2012 to 2016, AIIMS Bhubaneswar expanded its educational and healthcare activities. Undergraduate medical education, nursing education and postgraduate programmes were among the important areas developed during this period.
Building a new AIIMS institution required planning, administration, recruitment, academic development and the establishment of medical facilities. His leadership during the formative years contributed to laying the foundation for the institution’s subsequent growth.
For Odisha, AIIMS Bhubaneswar represented an important step towards improving access to advanced medical treatment within the state. Dr. Mahapatra’s association with the institution as its first Director remains a significant part of his legacy.
It is important to note that he was a former Director of AIIMS Bhubaneswar, not its serving Director at the time of his demise.
The Historic Jaga and Balia Separation Surgery
Among the most widely recognised achievements associated with Dr. Ashok Kumar Mahapatra was his involvement in the complex separation surgery of conjoined twins Jaga and Balia from Kandhamal district of Odisha.
The twins were joined at the head, a rare medical condition known as craniopagus. Their treatment required an exceptionally complex surgical procedure involving several specialised medical disciplines.
The case attracted considerable national and international attention because separating twins joined at the skull involves complicated medical challenges, including the separation of shared blood vessels and structures surrounding the brain.
Dr. Mahapatra led the medical team at AIIMS New Delhi that undertook the challenging operation.
The surgical process involved extensive preparation, detailed medical investigations and the coordination of specialists from different departments. Neurosurgeons, anaesthesiologists, paediatric specialists and other medical professionals worked together to make the operation possible.
The twins underwent a multi-stage surgical process in 2017, with the final separation taking place on October 25, 2017, following an intensive operation.
The successful separation became a landmark achievement in India’s medical history and brought international attention to the capabilities of Indian neurosurgical teams.
For people in Odisha, the case was particularly emotional because Jaga and Balia belonged to Kandhamal district. Their treatment became a significant example of advanced medical care being provided to children from the state at a leading national medical institution.
Dr. Mahapatra’s leadership in this complex medical case remains one of the most memorable aspects of his professional career.
His Contribution to AIIMS Delhi and SGPGIMS Lucknow
Apart from his association with AIIMS Bhubaneswar, Dr. Mahapatra held several important positions at leading medical institutions in India.
He spent a major part of his professional life at AIIMS New Delhi, where he worked in the Department of Neurosurgery. He eventually headed the department and also held senior responsibilities at the Neurosciences Centre and in research administration.
His contribution was not limited to surgical treatment. He was also involved in academic activities, research guidance and the development of specialised medical services.
Between 2006 and 2009, he served as Director of Sanjay Gandhi Postgraduate Institute of Medical Sciences (SGPGIMS) in Lucknow.
During his tenure, the institution worked towards expanding specialised medical services and strengthening its infrastructure.
His experience across these institutions gave him an important role in India’s medical education and healthcare administration landscape.
Research, Medical Education and Academic Achievements
Dr. Ashok Kumar Mahapatra’s contribution to medicine extended well beyond the operating theatre.
He was also recognised for his work in medical research, academic writing and the training of future medical professionals.
According to the Government of India’s Padma Shri profile, his academic contributions included approximately 870 research papers, 16 books and more than 140 book chapters.
He also guided doctoral students and participated in research projects during his academic career.
His work covered different areas of neurosurgery, including paediatric neurosurgery, neurotrauma, skull-base surgery and peripheral nerve surgery.
These contributions helped strengthen the academic foundation of neurosurgical practice in India.
He was also associated with professional medical organisations and played a role in developing specialised platforms for neurosurgeons and researchers.
His long academic career demonstrated the importance of combining clinical experience with research and medical education.
Padma Shri Award and Other Recognitions
In recognition of his contribution to medicine, the Government of India selected Dr. Ashok Kumar Mahapatra for the Padma Shri.
He received the prestigious civilian honour from President Droupadi Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhavan in April 2025.
The award recognised his contribution to the field of medicine and his distinguished professional journey.
He was also a recipient of the C.V. Raman Award for Scientific Excellence, presented by the Odisha Bigyan Academy in 2022.
Over the years, he received several other recognitions for his contributions to neurosurgery, medical education, research and institutional development.
These honours reflected the recognition his work received within the medical and academic communities.
Association with SOA University
Following his long career in medical institutions, Dr. Mahapatra also became closely associated with Siksha ‘O’ Anusandhan (SOA) Deemed to be University in Bhubaneswar.
He served as the university’s Vice-Chancellor and later continued his association as Principal Advisor (Health Sciences).
His experience in medical education and institutional administration contributed to the university’s academic and healthcare-related activities.
His association with SOA also kept him connected with Odisha’s educational and medical community.
Even after holding important positions at national institutions, he remained associated with the development of healthcare and medical education in his home state.
Odisha Remembers a Distinguished Medical Personality
The passing of Dr. Ashok Kumar Mahapatra marks the end of a remarkable professional journey that connected Odisha with India’s leading medical institutions.
His contributions were not limited to one hospital, one position or one medical achievement. From his early career at AIIMS New Delhi to his leadership at SGPGIMS Lucknow and his role in establishing AIIMS Bhubaneswar, he contributed to several important areas of Indian healthcare.
His leadership in the separation surgery of Jaga and Balia also brought international attention to the capabilities of Indian neurosurgery.
For Odisha, his journey carries particular significance. A doctor who began his educational journey in the state went on to serve at some of the country’s most respected medical institutions and received one of India’s highest civilian honours.
His legacy will be remembered through the medical professionals he trained, the research he contributed to, the institutions he helped develop and the patients whose lives were touched by his work.
Dr. Ashok Kumar Mahapatra’s contribution to medicine and healthcare will remain an important part of Odisha’s professional and academic history.
Odisha Katha expresses its heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family, colleagues, students and the medical fraternity. May his soul rest in peace.
Disclaimer: This article has been prepared using publicly available information and published reports. Some biographical and professional details are based on institutional and government records. Odisha Katha does not claim ownership of third-party photographs or information used for reference. Details may be updated if further official information becomes available.
