The Supreme Court has asked all states and Union Territories to prepare a 'realistic and practical' action plan to implement guidelines for intensive care services.
A bench of Justices Ahsanuddin Amanullah and R Mahadevan directed the states to convene a meeting of experts to prepare the action plan, which should be completed within three weeks.
The guidelines, which have been prepared with consensus, are necessary as a minimum standard for ICUs and include five basic requirements prioritised in terms of manpower and equipment/logistics.
The top court also directed the Ministry of Health, Government of India, to formally issue the guidelines as an advisory to the states and UTs.
Additionally, the Indian Nursing Council and the Para Medical Council of India have been impleaded as party respondents to augment the courses or curriculum and training imparted by them to handle situations in ICUs.
