Special Correspondent: Arun Sharma

New Delhi: In a significant step towards strengthening India’s public healthcare system, Safdarjung Hospital has announced the launch of an Online ICU Follow-Up Clinic for patients who have been discharged from the Intensive Care Unit.
The service will be operated through the government’s telemedicine platform e‑Sanjeevani, enabling patients to consult critical care specialists from the comfort of their homes.


Clinic Schedule and Access
According to hospital officials, the online clinic will function twice a week — every Tuesday and Thursday from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM.
During this time, patients who have recently been discharged from the ICU, along with their family members, will be able to seek medical advice online from critical care experts.


Bridging the Post-ICU Care Gap
Hospital authorities said that structured follow-up care for ICU survivors is often limited in India’s healthcare system.
Many patients returning home after critical illness continue to experience physical weakness, psychological stress, and other medical complications.
The newly launched digital clinic aims to provide continuous medical guidance and monitoring for such patients without requiring frequent hospital visits.

Service to Be Inaugurated by Hospital Director
The service will be formally inaugurated on Saturday by Dr. Sandeep Bansal, Director of Safdarjung Hospital.
Doctors believe the initiative could set a new benchmark in post-ICU care within India’s public healthcare network, particularly benefiting patients from remote and rural regions who find it difficult to travel repeatedly to large hospitals.


Expert Insight
According to Dr. Anirban Hom, Head of the Critical Care Department at Safdarjung Hospital, ICU follow-up is crucial in India because many patients travel from distant parts of the country for treatment.
After returning home, frequent hospital visits often become impractical.
He explained that through this online consultation system, patients will be able to directly connect with doctors, who will evaluate their condition and determine whether treatment can continue remotely or if the patient needs to return to the hospital for further care.


A Step Toward Continuous Recovery Care
Medical experts say the initiative will play an important role in supporting long-term recovery and rehabilitation of patients who have survived critical illnesses, ensuring they receive ongoing medical supervision even after discharge.