Supreme Court Orders Time-Bound Action Plan for Mandatory ICU Standards Nationwide

The Supreme Court has mandated that all States and Union Territories develop a practical roadmap to implement uniform minimum standards for ICUs.

A Bench led by Justice Ahsanuddin Amanullah directed Health Secretaries to identify five essential requirements, focusing on specialized staff and equipment that are "absolutely mandatory" for ICU functioning.

The Court ordered that expert meetings be held within one week, with final action plans submitted within three weeks.

Additionally, the Indian Nursing Council has been made a party to the case to address the critical shortage of trained ICU personnel and suggest improvements to healthcare curriculum and training.

[Asit Baran Mondal & Anr. v. Dr Rita Sinha & Ors.]