R ARIVANANTHAM
CHENNAI, OCT 7
Apollo Hospitals on Wednesday virtually launched the Centre of Excellence in Critical Care. The Apollo Centre of Excellence in Critical Care (ACECC) will harness digital technology to create an integrated network of eICUs providing critical care not just across Apollo Hospitals network but also in partnership with non-Apollo units in India and abroad.
- Studies have indicated that India has just 2.3 critical care beds per 100,000 population as against 10 to 11 beds per 100,000 population in developed countries like South Korea and Singapore
- The ACECC will enable quality critical care with a reduction in morbidity and mortality by encompassing the entire gamut of critical care backed by appropriate training of healthcare professionals
The ACECC will comprise digital technology enabling Critical Care Units (CCUs) having standard protocols (SOPs) supported by smart solutions. This will enable expansion of the critical care network through e-ICUs using tele-health and Apollo Connect.
“Critical illness leads to millions of deaths each year. However, critical care faces challenges due to factors such as lack of prioritisation and co-ordination. The ACECC goes beyond Apollo through partnership with non-Apollo units, both public and private to add value and make it a win-win for patients, doctors, nursing homes and hospitals,” said Dr Prathap C Reddy, Chairman, Apollo Hospitals Groups
Preetha Reddy, Executive Vice Chairperson, Apollo Hospitals Group said, “The COVID pandemic highlighted the challenges faced by the country with regard to its critical care infrastructure. Studies have indicated that India has just 2.3 critical care beds per 100,000 population as against 10 to 11 beds per 100,000 population in developed countries like South Korea and Singapore. The pandemic brought to the fore the need for augmenting India’s critical treatment facilities and creating capability for high end critical care. The ACECC will be based on a network of hub-and-spokes units between Apollo and non-Apollo providers, both public and private, to ensure that every citizen has access to the best of critical care when needed.”
Suneeta Reddy, Managing Director, Apollo Hospitals Group said, “Critical care in the country today faces multiple challenges ranging from lack of trained staff and equipment and a lower priority given to emergency and critical care as compared to other specialities. The ACECC will enable quality critical care with a reduction in morbidity and mortality by encompassing the entire gamut of critical care backed by appropriate training of healthcare professionals. Integrated education and training through Medvarsity will ensure up-to-date clinical knowledge for the healthcare physicians and staff. International partnerships will create an environment for excellence in clinical standards, education, research and support.”
Dr Sangita Reddy, Joint Managing Director, Apollo Hospitals Group said, “There was tremendous pressure on critical care during COVID-19 surge, but resilience and undiluted commitment of the intensivists ensured delivery of care of the highest standards given the circumstances. Innovation, agility, adapting to rapidly changing situations and dedication were on display in the most difficult conditions. In the spirit of the transformation that has been seen across healthcare we have redoubled efforts to create an exceptional experience in critical care for all stakeholders. ACECC will oversee an integrated critical care network, leveraging our collective strength across the group, and will ensure that we take the speciality to a different level not only in the country but also build a global model for the same.”
Dr. K. Hari Prasad, President – Hospitals Division, Apollo Hospitals Enterprises said, “The country faces a resource mismatch with 80% of physicians working in urban areas and 70% of the population residing in remote locations. The ACECC will help in overcoming variability in expertise and critical care delivery and provide smart solutions to the national shortage of critical care experts.”
Critically ill patients present with a different set of challenges from in-patients in other specialities. They require constant monitoring, care and support, which makes the role of critical care vital to the patient’s health. A patient in a critical care unit has an entire team of specialised physicians, nurses, and other medical staff to look after every need.
Professor Ravi Mahajan, Director – Critical Care Integration and Transformation, Apollo Hospitals Group said, “The launch of the Centre heralds furthering Apollo’s ambition to make high quality, affordable Critical Care expertise available even to the remotest parts of India. It will be a focal point for national networks and international collaborations achieving excellence through standard setting, developing protocols, quality improvement programmes, education and research”.
