Emerging Therapeutic Solutions
Critical care practices in India reflect the nation’s vast diversity and have progressively expanded from a primary focus on cardiac care to the management of complex, multi-organ conditions. Despite this advancement, the availability of intensive care facilities remains severely limited across both public and private healthcare sectors. ICU bed capacity is disproportionately low compared to patient demand, making timely access to critical care a persistent challenge for severely ill patients.
Due to this shortage, ICU admission is often restricted to only the most critically ill individuals. This limitation may contribute to increased mortality rates, not only within ICUs but also among patients managed in general wards who are unable to access intensive care when needed. To address this gap, there is a pressing requirement to expand ICU capacity to a minimum of 10% of total hospital beds nationwide, with an even higher allocation of 15–20% in major public and private tertiary care institutions.
Healthcare delivery in India is broadly supported by three categories of hospitals. Community hospitals, largely operated by government bodies, form the backbone of public healthcare services. The country currently has approximately 200 medical colleges with affiliated teaching hospitals, along with over 1,000 district hospitals providing secondary and tertiary care.
Private tertiary care hospitals, run by trusts, societies, or corporate organizations, play a significant role in advanced medical care. An estimated 85% of patients in these facilities bear treatment expenses out-of-pocket. While ICUs in private tertiary hospitals are generally well-equipped and contribute substantially to the nation’s critical care infrastructure, the associated costs often place a financial burden on patients.
