Jaipur: Patients in need of critical care are set for tighter safeguards as the state has ordered strict ICU inspections in govt and private hospitals under the Centre’s 2026 guidelines and Supreme Court directions. The move has brought both govt and private hospitals under district-level scrutiny.A circular issued on Sept 10 directs district authorities to inspect, verify and monitor ICU facilities across the state. The action follows a Supreme Court directive issued on Aug 13, 2026, in a related case. The guidelines, titled “Guideline for Organization and Delivery of Intensive Care Services-2026”, were issued by the Director General of Health Services, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.Under the order, Level-1 ICUs must be established in all district hospitals. Principal medical officers have been instructed to conduct gap analyses of ICU infrastructure, equipment and facilities. Shortages of equipment must be addressed in coordination with the concerned chief medical health officer or joint director by shifting surplus equipment from other institutions within the district or division.Hospitals have also been directed to prioritise repair of equipment through annual maintenance contracts or comprehensive maintenance contracts. Equipment found unusable must be condemned or disposed of as per rules.On staffing, chief medical officers of district hospitals must assess the availability of doctors and nursing staff against ICU norms. Existing doctors and nursing personnel are to be assigned ICU duties wherever required. If staff shortages remain, proposals must be sent to health directorate through the concerned joint director.Private hospitals will also face verification of ICU infrastructure, equipment and trained manpower in line with the Centre’s level-wise ICU norms. CMHOs will prepare consolidated compliance reports for private hospitals in their districts.At the district level, ICU compliance verification in govt hospitals will be carried out by chief medical officers. Joint directors will review progress and submit reports to the health directorate by Sept 30.
