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New Delhi – In a significant move towards enhancing healthcare standards, the Supreme Court of India is set to review the implementation of uniform guidelines for intensive care units (ICUs) and critical care units (CCUs) across the country. The hearing, scheduled for Monday, will evaluate whether states choose to adopt or amend the Union government’s guidelines, which were issued in September 2023.
The 2023 guidelines established by the Union government aim to standardize critical care practices nationwide, including defining minimum qualifications for specialists, criteria for patient admission, and treatment protocols within ICUs and CCUs. However, as of now, only eight states and Union territories—Andhra Pradesh, Meghalaya, Chandigarh, Punjab, Rajasthan, Jammu and Kashmir, Chhattisgarh, and Haryana—have adopted these standards. This disparity highlights the pressing need for a cohesive approach to critical care across India.
The case prompting this review originated from a 2015 petition filed by Mr. Asit Baran Mondal, who sought justice following the alleged medical negligence that led to the death of his wife. The petition has reignited discussions about the necessity for standardized critical care practices to prevent similar tragedies in the future.
The Union guidelines also stipulate specific admission criteria for critically ill patients, particularly those who may decline intensive care. As some states express interest in modifying these standards to suit local needs, the Supreme Court’s upcoming deliberations aim to establish consistent national benchmarks that ensure equitable access to critical care for all citizens.
The outcome of this case could have profound implications for healthcare delivery in India, addressing longstanding gaps in critical care services and potentially saving countless lives in the process. As the court prepares to hear arguments, stakeholders across the healthcare sector are watching closely, hopeful for a ruling that promotes improved standards and accountability within the critical care landscape.
