When 70-year-old Pratima Barman from Nalbari, Assam, fell ill in 2023, her family faced a difficult choice between costly treatment options and seeking help from a newly established local ICU initiative. Fortunately, they discovered the 10Bed ICU initiative, which provided crucial care and avoided the financial burden of traveling to Guwahati.
Launched in 2021 by Srikanth Nadhamuni and supported by Khosla Labs, the 10Bed ICU project aims to address gaps in critical care in rural India. Since its inception, over 200 units have been set up across states including Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, and Assam, serving over 65,000 patients. Each unit costs between Rs 50 and Rs 60 lakh and is created through a public-private partnership model that involves state governments, private funding, and community support.
As reported by timesofindia.indiatimes.com, the initiative also includes advanced technology like a cloud-based software called ‘CARE’ for managing patient records and a Telehub that connects rural hospitals with district hubs. The use of Generative AI further enhances diagnostic efficiency and reduces doctors’ administrative workload.
The 10Bed ICU has proven successful, reducing patient transfers by 70% in areas where it has been implemented. This success is attributed to its adaptable approach, tailored to local needs and conditions. Plans are underway to expand the initiative further, with a goal of establishing a unit in every region of India.