Fortis Hospital Mulund launches India’s first ECMO Fellowship Certification Programme for Emergency Medicine doctors

Fortis Hospital Mulund, Mumbai has conducted India’s first Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO) Fellowship Certification Programme for Emergency Medicine doctors. The six-month programme was endorsed by the Society for Emergency Medicine India (SEMI). It has been designed for Emergency Medicine doctors dealing with decision-making and emergency interventions in cases of severe heart and lung failure.

ECMO is a life-support technique where a machine performs the function of the heart and lungs for patients with cardiogenic shock or severe lung injury, allowing time for recovery. The fellowship also focused on methods for young adults experiencing cardiac arrest, with emphasis on Extracorporeal Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (E-CPR). E-CPR is an advanced technique used when standard CPR methods are insufficient. Participants were trained in skills including cannulation, ECMO initiation, and intra-aortic balloon pumping.

The fellowship combined lectures, case presentations and workshops. Simulation-based training was included, with focus on troubleshooting and exposure to different ECMO configurations and mechanical circulatory support devices. International and national faculty delivered online lectures and interactive workshops, sharing experiences and strategies to address challenges in critical patient care.

The programme was led by Dr Sandeep Gore, Director–Emergency Medicine, and Dr Jumana Haji, Director–ECMO Programme. The two curated advanced modules to structure the fellowship and provide Emergency Medicine doctors with skills applicable in global contexts.

Dr Sandeep Gore, Director–Emergency Medicine, Fortis Hospital Mulund, Mumbai, and Co-director for the fellowship said, “An Emergency Medicine doctor should be the master of the resuscitation, they should be aware of concepts and principles behind use of ECMO in clinical practice. In coming years, E-CPR will be standard of care for refractory cardiac arrest cases in young adults.”

Dr Jumana Haji, Director–ECMO Programme, Fortis Hospital Mulund, Mumbai, and Co-director for the fellowship said, “In the six-month duration the fellows gained proficiency in ECMO case selection, Counselling, Cannulation, Transport and Troubleshooting. The simulations were demonstrated with ECPR, ECMO transport and emergency cannulation and troubleshooting scenarios. The need for a ‘shock team’ and upskilling of Emergency Medicine doctors emerged as the number one takeaway for doctors.”

A total of 14 doctors from across India completed the fellowship. Dr Vishal Beri, Facility Director, Fortis Hospital Mulund, Mumbai said, “Education is a cornerstone of medical progress. With this fellowship, we aim to bridge the skill gap in advanced resuscitation techniques and bring life-saving technologies like ECMO into wider practice across India.”

According to Fortis Hospital Mulund, the milestone reinforces its role in Emergency Medicine and advanced resuscitation, while creating pathways for medical education and training in life-support systems.