New Delhi: A dedicated critical care follow-up clinic for ICU-discharged patients will be launched at the centre-run Safdarjung Hospital, marking a first in India’s public healthcare system. The clinic will be accessible through the government’s e-Sanjeevani OPD portal, which will operate on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10–11 am, allowing consultation with doctors and critical care specialists. Hospital officials highlighted that the initiative addresses a major gap in India’s healthcare system, where structured follow-up care for ICU survivors is often lacking. Many patients continue to face physical weakness, cognitive challenges, and other complications after discharge, making ongoing medical support essential. The clinic will be inaugurated by the hospital’s director, Dr. Sandeep Bansal, on Saturday at 11 am.Also Read:Vardhman Mahavir Medical College, Safdarjung Hospital launch DM Nephrology CourseDoctors said the service could become a model for ICU follow-up care, particularly for patients living in remote areas who face logistical and financial challenges in accessing tertiary hospitals.Speaking to TOI, Dr. Anirban Hom, head of critical care at Safdarjung Hospital, said, “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 added that many patients are not fully recovered at discharge and need continued 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 based on that, we can decide whether their treatment can be managed where they are currently staying or if they need to come back for further care,” Hom said, reports TOI.Also Read:Safdarjung Hospital opens UMANG VATIKA sensory garden for childrenMedical Dialogues had previously reported that Vardhman Mahavir Medical College (VMMC) and Safdarjung Hospital inaugurated the ”UMANG VATIKA – Sensory Garden”, marking the launch of North India’s first sensory garden dedicated to children with neurodevelopmental disorders.
