Health Dept’s move to strengthen ICUs of UP’s district hospitals

Lucknow : To bolster healthcare services and strengthen critical care capabilities across Uttar Pradesh, the Yogi government has introduced a specialized training initiative for ICU professionals under the CARE-UP (Critical Care Advancement and Readiness Enhancement for Upcoming ICU Professionals) program.

The first batch of trainees has already completed their training in Jhansi, while the training of the second batch is currently underway. The program is comprehensive, providing advanced training not only to doctors but also to nurses and lab technicians, aiming to bolster the state’s critical care capabilities.

Principal Secretary of Health and Medical Education, Parth Sarathi Sen Sharma, stated, “While all district hospitals in the state are equipped with Intensive Care Units (ICUs), the lack of trained staff has led to the need for referring serious patients elsewhere. Despite having ventilators and oxygen facilities in these ICUs, their full potential cannot be utilized due to the shortage of skilled personnel. Recognizing this challenge, the Yogi government took decisive action by initiating the training of doctors and paramedical staff in all district hospitals.”

He further explained that the Yogi government entrusted this responsibility to Professor Anshul Jain, Head of the Department of Anesthesia at Maharani Laxmi Bai (MLB) Medical College, Jhansi, who also serves as the Director of MLB Paramedical College.

Dr. Anshul noted that in the first batch, 10 staff members, including nurses and lab technicians, received training, along with Dr. Abhishek Kumar Singh from Lucknow Civil Hospital, five staff members from Lokbandhu Hospital led by Dr Deepak Kumar Maurya, and staff from Jhansi District Hospital. As a result, the ICUs of all three hospitals are now fully operational, providing critical care to serious patients.

Director General of Family Welfare, Dr. Narendra Agarwal, stated that in the second batch, doctors from Gorakhpur, Banda, and Prayagraj District Hospitals are currently undergoing training. Similarly, doctors from other district hospitals will also be trained in ICU operations in phases. The goal is to have all ICUs fully operational by the end of next year.

“Our aim is to equip as many doctors, nurses, and paramedical staff as possible with the skills needed to effectively use ventilators and other modern medical equipment. This will ensure that the people of the state receive improved healthcare services while also reducing their financial burden,” he added.

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The training has yielded significant benefits, with an 11-bed ICU now operational at Lokbandhu Hospital. In the past month alone, over 150 patients have been admitted and treated there. The newly trained staff is effectively managing ventilators and other equipment, ensuring that patients receive seamless care.

-Dr. Deepak Kumar Maurya, ICU Incharge, Lokbandhu Hospital

All the staff who participated in the training have gained considerable expertise. Staff nurses are now proficiently operating ventilators and other equipment, leading to significant benefits for the patients. As a result, the number of patients in the ICU at Civil Hospital has increased over the past month.

-Dr. Abhishek Singh, ICU Incharge, Civil Hospital