Indian Society of Critical Care Medicine

The ISCCM (Indian Society of Critical Care Medicine) Hyderabad chapter has a rich legacy of commitment to the development of critical care in India. While the ISCCM was founded on October 9, 1993, Hyderabad’s involvement in critical care began earlier, in the 1980s. In 1990, Dr. Manimala Rao established a pioneering six-bed ICU at Nizam’s Institute of Medical Sciences (NIMS), expanding it to twelve beds by 1995.

The official Hyderabad chapter of ISCCM was inaugurated in 1998 with Dr. Manimala Rao as the chairperson, Dr. Md. Mateenuddin Saleem as secretary, Dr. R. Vijay Kumar as treasurer, and Dr. Fakhruddin Mohammed, Dr. Shyam Sundar, Dr. M. Dinakar, Dr. Ashok C. Upadhyaya, and Dr. Ashfaq Hasan as executive members. This dedicated team of seven worked tirelessly to elevate Hyderabad's critical care landscape.Within two years of its formation, the chapter achieved a significant milestone by organizing CRITICARE-2000, a prestigious conference held at Hotel Manohar in Begumpet. This event marked the beginning of regular impactful gatherings in the city, a tradition continued with CRITICARE events in 2010 and 2020. Initially, meetings were held quarterly to biannually at various venues, including NIMS and Deccan Medical College, due to the lack of a dedicated office space.

Another milestone was the introduction of the Post-Doctoral Certificate Course (PDCC) in critical care at NIMS in the late 2000s, which further underscored Hyderabad’s role in advancing critical care education in India.The ISCCM Hyderabad chapter actively promotes academic excellence and continuous learning through structured activities. Monthly events like C-MAP (Continuous Monthly Academic Programs) provide regular knowledge-sharing sessions, keeping members current with advancements in critical care. In addition to Annual General Body Meetings, the chapter conducts Public Awareness Programs to highlight the importance of critical care in healthcare.

In 2017, the chapter launched CRITIC (ConfeRence on Innovative Thinking in Intensive Care), an annual event that fosters innovative thinking in intensive care. Even during the pandemic in 2021, this conference adapted to a virtual format to ensure continued learning and engagement. The chapter celebrated a milestone in 2019, marking 25 years of achievements at CRITICARE in Ahmedabad, a testament to its enduring impact.

To further extend its outreach, the chapter launched a YouTube channel, WhatsApp group, and Facebook page in 2021, providing real-time updates and connections for members. Modern educational formats, including live-streamed and hybrid events, allow the chapter to reach a wider audience. Notably, the chapter recognizes the contributions of women and mentors in healthcare, celebrating events such as International Women’s Day and Teachers’ Day. In 2021, the chapter organized the National Nursing Conference, which highlighted the role of nursing professionals and provided a platform for knowledge sharing.

The chapter’s dedication to research is demonstrated by the active involvement of its members in developing ISCCM position statements, guidelines, and impactful publications. This commitment was recognized when the ISCCM awarded the Hyderabad chapter the title of Best Performing City Branch for three consecutive years (2019, 2020, and 2021). Additionally, the chapter received a Lifetime Achievement Award in 2022, underscoring its leadership in critical care medicine. In 2022, it published a book named as Current Concepts in Critical Care, adding to its academic contributions.

The Hyderabad chapter holds the distinction of having the highest number of FICCM (Fellow of Indian College of Critical Care Medicine) awardees in India, underscoring its commitment to fostering expertise and excellence in critical care. The chapter’s workshops provide hands-on training in specialized areas, including airway management, ACLS/BLS (Advanced and Basic Cardiac Life Support), mechanical ventilation, infections and antimicrobials, ECMO (Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation), hemodynamics, and POCUS (Point-of-Care Ultrasound). It also conducts unique preparatory sessions, case discussions, and mock exams to support candidates pursuing critical care certifications such as IDCCM (Indian Diploma in Critical Care Medicine), CTCCM (Certificate in Critical Care Medicine), FCCS (Fundamental Critical Care Support), FNB (Fellow of National Board), and DrNB (Doctorate of National Board). This strong training framework reinforces the chapter’s role as a national leader in critical care education.