Srinagar, Nov 03 (KNO): Following directions issued by the Supreme Court of India, the Jammu and Kashmir Government has constituted a high-level committee of specialists and stakeholders to oversee the implementation of prescribed guidelines for the organisation and delivery of Intensive Care Unit (ICU) services across the Union Territory.
According to Government Order No. 757-JK (HME) of 2026, dated November 3, accessed by the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), issued by the Health and Medical Education Department, the committee has been tasked with identifying deficiencies in critical-care facilities across healthcare institutions and preparing a comprehensive, time-bound roadmap to address them.
The move follows directions passed by the Supreme Court in Civil Appeal No. 8402/2016, titled Asit Baran Mondal & Anr. Vs. Dr. Rita Sinha & Ors., particularly its orders dated May 20 and September 21, 2026, concerning the implementation of guidelines for the organisation and delivery of intensive care services.
The committee will assess the preparedness of healthcare institutions in providing Level-I, Level-II and Level-III ICU services and identify gaps in infrastructure, medical equipment, critical-care manpower, nursing staff, allied healthcare personnel, infection control and patient safety arrangements.
As per the order, the Head of the Department of Anaesthesiology/Critical Care at Government Medical College (GMC) Jammu will head the committee, while representatives from the Critical Care Medicine Department of SKIMS Soura and GMC Srinagar will be among its members.
Heads of Anaesthesiology/Critical Care Departments of other government medical colleges, including GMC Anantnag, Baramulla, Kathua, Rajouri, Doda, Udhampur and Handwara, have also been included in the panel.
The committee will further comprise the Additional Secretary (Law), Health and Medical Education Department; Deputy Secretary (MR), who will function as Member Secretary; General Manager, Jammu and Kashmir Medical Supplies Corporation Limited (JKMSCL); Deputy Directors of Health Services Jammu and Kashmir; a representative from the Accounts Service to be nominated by the Director Finance; and representatives of two selected private hospitals having established ICU and critical-care facilities.
Among its major responsibilities, the committee will review the existing ICU guidelines, compliance matrix and gap analysis report to identify institution-wise shortcomings against the prescribed standards for different levels of intensive care services.
It will also formulate a time-bound strategy to address deficiencies related to availability of specialists, doctors, nurses and other trained healthcare personnel, besides assessing requirements for equipment, infrastructure, medical utilities, infection prevention and control, safety arrangements and specialised critical-care training.
The order also lays emphasis on strengthening Tele-ICU and tele-consultation facilities across J&K. The committee has been asked to recommend mechanisms for real-time information about ICU bed availability and better referral linkages between healthcare institutions to ensure that critically ill patients can access appropriate treatment without unnecessary delays.
Another important aspect of the exercise will be an assessment of ambulance and referral services, with the panel asked to examine their adequacy and recommend measures for ensuring the availability of appropriately equipped ambulances capable of transporting and stabilising critically ill patients.
The committee will also examine the compliance of private hospitals and institutions operating ICU and critical-care facilities with the prescribed guidelines and suggest corrective measures wherever deficiencies are identified.
Special attention will be given to healthcare institutions located in hilly, remote and geographically difficult areas of Jammu and Kashmir. The panel will assess the specific challenges faced by such facilities, review measures already undertaken and recommend suitable interventions with clearly defined timelines.
To strengthen critical-care infrastructure, the committee has also been mandated to explore permissible funding avenues, including Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), assistance from non-governmental organisations and other authorised sources.
As part of its assignment, the panel will prepare a consolidated, institution-wise action plan identifying existing gaps, corrective measures, financial and resource requirements, implementing agencies and specific timelines for execution.
Importantly, the committee has been directed to submit its consolidated draft Action Plan/Roadmap to the Commissioner/Secretary, Health and Medical Education Department, within 15 days from the issuance of the government order.
The department will subsequently examine the proposed roadmap in terms of technical feasibility, administrative implications, financial requirements and conformity with the Supreme Court's directions before placing it before the competent authority for approval.
Once approved, the action plan will be circulated among all concerned government medical colleges, SKIMS, Directorates of Health Services, JKMSCL and other implementing agencies for execution within the prescribed timelines.
The committee will also periodically review implementation, assess the progress achieved, identify pending deficiencies and report bottlenecks requiring intervention at the government level.
The order further states that the committee may invite specialists, technical experts and officers from other departments or institutions whenever required and seek necessary information to complete its assigned responsibilities.
The Health and Medical Education Department will provide secretarial and logistical support, while heads of concerned institutions and departments have been directed to extend cooperation and furnish the requisite information and data to facilitate the exercise.
The committee will function under the overall supervision of the Health and Medical Education Department, with its recommendations aligned with the directions and timelines laid down by the Supreme Court—(KNO)