Bihar ICU Overhaul: Nurses to Get Mandatory Training

Bihar is set to significantly strengthen its Intensive Care Unit (ICU) services, following a high-level meeting on April 29, 2026. A key initiative involves mandatory induction training for all ICU nurses before deployment, supported by a skill-based training roadmap from the Bihar Nursing Council. Nursing curricula will also be upgraded to better prepare graduates for critical care.

The health department is initiating a statewide ICU specialist gap assessment to pinpoint shortages of intensivists. This will be complemented by the development of short and medium-term critical care certification programs and an increase in postgraduate seats for ICU-related specialities. Standardized ICU referral protocols and tele-ICU hubs are also planned.

Further enhancements include establishing tele-ICU hubs for remote consultations and simplifying documentation. A GPS-based hospital directory will categorize ICU facilities, and hospitals with over 40 beds must register their ICUs. Preventive maintenance for ICU equipment, robust infection surveillance, and clear human resource guidelines with staffing ratios are also part of the roadmap.

District health authorities will conduct hospital inspections using NABH-based checklists to ensure compliance. The availability and categorization of ICU services across Bihar will be publicly published to aid emergency referrals. These measures aim to implement the SC-mandated "Guidelines for Organisation and Delivery of Intensive Care Services."