New initiative aims to support ICU survivors with remote consultations and structured post-discharge care
In a significant step toward improving post-critical care support, Safdarjung Hospital will launch a dedicated critical care follow-up clinic for patients discharged from Intensive Care Units (ICUs). The initiative is considered the first of its kind in India’s public healthcare system and will provide remote consultation through the government’s eSanjeevani OPD portal.
The online clinic will operate every Tuesday and Thursday between 10 am and 11 am, allowing former ICU patients to consult directly with doctors and critical care specialists without needing to travel to the hospital.
Addressing the gap in ICU follow-up care
Hospital officials said the initiative aims to address a major gap in India’s healthcare system, where structured follow-up care for ICU survivors is often missing. Many patients continue to experience physical weakness, cognitive issues, and other complications even after being discharged, making regular medical guidance and monitoring essential.
The clinic will be formally inaugurated on Saturday at 11 am by the hospital’s director, Dr. Sandeep Bansal.
Remote support for patients from distant areas
According to Dr. Anirban Hom, head of the critical care department at Safdarjung Hospital, the system will particularly benefit patients who travel long distances for treatment.
“In India, ICU follow-up is extremely necessary because many of our patients come from distant places. Once they return home after treatment, it becomes difficult for them to travel back for regular check-ups,” he told The Times of India.
He added that several patients are not fully recovered at the time of discharge and require ongoing medical guidance and rehabilitation support.
“Through this system, they will be able to contact us directly online. We can assess the problems they are facing and decide whether their treatment can be managed where they currently live or if they need to return for further care,” Hom said.
Potential model for critical care follow-up in India
Doctors believe the initiative could serve as a model for ICU follow-up care across the country, especially for patients living in remote regions who often face logistical and financial challenges in accessing tertiary healthcare centres.
In a related development, Vardhman Mahavir Medical College and Safdarjung Hospital recently inaugurated UMANG VATIKA, North India’s first sensory garden designed for children with neurodevelopmental disorders, further expanding patient-centric healthcare initiatives at the institution.
