Building on the momentum from regional consultations held in October 2025, Odisha today convened a high-level state conference on the organisation and delivery of intensive care services at the IMA Conference Hall here.
In an introductory one-on-one session, Commissioner-cum-Secretary, Health and Family Welfare, Aswathy S., IAS, engaged directly with senior experts and doctors to discuss standardised operating procedures for Intensive Care Units (ICUs), Coronary Care Units (CCUs), and High Dependency Units (HDUs) across both government and private sector hospitals in the state.
Aswathy S. emphasised the need for incorporating the best suggestions aligned with national and international standards to ensure effective and equitable delivery of intensive care. She directed participants to meticulously record the deliberations and ensure the timely transmission of the outcomes to the Government of India by March 23, 2026.
Prof. Dr Nibedita Pani from PGIMER, Bhubaneswar, presented the draft guidelines for the organisation and delivery of intensive care services, prepared in line with directions from the Hon’ble Supreme Court of India. These guidelines, open for further deliberation, classify ICUs into levels based on illness severity:
- Level-1 ICUs focus on patients with single-organ dysfunction needing short-term stabilisation and basic monitoring.
- Level-3 ICUs handle critically ill patients requiring comprehensive multi-organ support, advanced invasive monitoring, and complex therapies.
The conference saw active participation from around 70 expert delegates representing reputed institutions across Odisha, including AIIMS Bhubaneswar, SCB Medical College Cuttack, AHRCC Cuttack, PGIMER and Capital Hospital Bhubaneswar, KIMS, SUM IMS, Hi-Tech Medical College, SLN Medical College Hospital Koraput, and BB Medical College Bolangir. Experts from government, corporate, district, and subdivisional hospitals shared their insights.
Key topics included admission and discharge policies for different ICU levels, infrastructure requirements, essential equipment and furniture, staffing with technically trained personnel and doctors, in-unit services, imaging and laboratory support, infection control, safety protocols, nursing station operations, family counselling and communication, and dignified end-of-life care.
The deliberations were moderated by Director Medical Education and Training (DMET), Dr Santosh Mishra and Director Health Services Dr. Pradeep Guru. Additional Director DMET, Dr Umakanta Satpathy, highlighted the conference objectives and referenced key observations from the Hon’ble Supreme Court. Joint DMET Dr Roma Ratan delivered the welcome address at this one-day event.
This conference reflects Odisha’s proactive response to longstanding calls for uniform critical care standards, aiming to enhance patient safety, resource optimisation, and quality of intensive care statewide.
