J&K to establish Tele-ICU network across GMCs to strengthen critical care
Srinagar, Oct 22: Chief Secretary, Atal Dulloo, today held a detailed discussion with Member, NITI Aayog, Dr. V.K. Paul, to deliberate on the establishment of Tele-ICU facilities across the newly established Government Medical Colleges (GMCs) in the districts of J&K.
The meeting marked a significant step towards defining the modalities for rolling out a robust, technology-driven critical care network aimed at strengthening peripheral healthcare institutions across the UT.
During the interaction, Dr. Paul shared valuable insights and highlighted successful Tele-ICU models being implemented by leading health technology providers such as Apollo TeleHealth, Medanta, Cloudphysician, and HealthNet. He emphasised the importance of studying these models to identify best-fit strategies for J&K’s healthcare ecosystem, considering its unique geography and institutional diversity.
Dr. Paul advised that the specific needs and infrastructure of each hospital must be carefully assessed prior to implementation. He underlined the necessity of capacity building, continuous medical education, and hands-on staff training, noting that these are pivotal to ensuring the success and sustainability of the Tele-ICU framework in J&K.
Expressing gratitude for the guidance and technical inputs shared by Dr. Paul, the Chief Secretary reiterated the UT Administration’s resolve to integrate advanced healthcare innovations into its public health system. He stated that the Government of Jammu and Kashmir is working towards establishing Tele-ICU facilities under a hub-and-spoke model, ensuring 24x7 critical care monitoring, expert consultation, and real-time clinical support for peripheral hospitals. Under this model, newly established GMCs will serve as spokes connected to a central command hub within the UT.
To ensure effective implementation, the Chief Secretary proposed deputing an expert team from J&K to leading healthcare institutions across the country to study the design and operational modalities of existing Tele-ICU hubs and command centres. He emphasized that while J&K faces challenges arising from difficult terrain and human resource limitations, the administration is committed to developing a customized, scalable model that addresses regional needs and strengthens healthcare delivery at the grassroots level.
