Lucknow emerges as a Leader in Critical Care Medicine

While Lucknow remains renowned for its cultural richness and chikan embroidery, it is also fast emerging as a critical care powerhouse in India. Institutions like Sanjay Gandhi Postgraduate Institute of Medical Sciences (SGPGIMS) and Medanta Hospital are redefining intensive care by combining technology, training, and human compassion.

SGPGIMS, a 550-acre medical hub on Raebareli Road, is home to a state-of-the-art Critical Care Medicine department. Its ICUs utilize artificial intelligence to track over 1,000 patient data points, enabling early crisis prediction and intervention. “We don’t just treat—we anticipate,” says Dr. R.K. Singh, highlighting the hospital’s cutting-edge approach. SGPGIMS is also at the forefront of medical education, offering specialized programs like D.M. in Critical Care and leading telemedicine efforts that have expanded since 1999. The institute gained global attention during UP Criticon 2024, showcasing tools like sepsis prediction systems and point-of-care ultrasounds.

Meanwhile, in Sushant Golf City, Medanta Hospital offers a private-sector model of excellence with its 120-bed ICU—one of the largest in Uttar Pradesh. Technologies like ECMO and CRRT support patients in critical conditions, while an e-ICU command center enables remote monitoring. “It’s a race against time, and these tools help us run faster,” says intensivist Dr. Dilip Dubey. Medanta also adopts a holistic recovery model, integrating physiotherapy, nutritional support, and counseling.

The growth of critical care in Lucknow is also driven by collaborative efforts. The Indian Society of Critical Care Medicine (ISCCM) runs hands-on workshops and tele-ICU initiatives that bring quality care to rural areas. Smaller hospitals are adopting wearable monitors that detect early signs of deterioration, ensuring timely transfers to advanced ICUs.

Lucknow’s transformation reflects a deeper commitment to blending innovation with empathy. AI, pharmacogenomics, and remote care are now routine, but as Satya Nadella reminds us, the aim is to empower people—not just use technology. Lucknow’s hospitals are doing just that, turning their ICUs into sanctuaries of healing and progress.