LUCKNOW, Sept. 28 -- Critical care services at Sanjay Gandhi Postgraduate Institute of Medical Sciences (SGPGIMS) are set for an upgrade, with the institute moving to expand and modernise its respiratory support capacity through procurement of 65 ICU ventilators and two high-end smart mechanical ventilators through multiple tenders issued this year, according to officials. Officials said the largest procurement was initiated on June 8, when SGPGIMS floated a tender for 46 ICU ventilators (V2) at an estimated cost of Rs.13.8 crore. The institute subsequently issued a tender on July 17 for two high-end smart mechanical ventilators, estimated at Rs.70 lakh. The upgrade continued with another tender issued on September 10 for 17 ICU ventilators (V2), estimated at Rs.5.10 crore. Bids for the latest procurement are scheduled to close on October 1, they added. The ICU ventilators being procured are designed to provide controlled and assisted ventilation, precise regulation of oxygen delivery, pressure and flow, and continuous monitoring of respiratory mechanics. Advanced functions include pressure-volume and flow-volume loops, lung-mechanics assessment and recruitment-related capabilities, officials said. "For a high-volume tertiary care now turning into a quaternary centre, the additional machines could have a direct impact on day-to-day critical care operations. Ventilators are required for patients with acute respiratory failure, severe infections, post-operative complications, trauma, multi-organ failure and those needing prolonged mechanical ventilation," SGPGIMS director Prof Radha Krishna Dhiman said. According to officials, the procurement of high-end smart ventilators is particularly significant for patients requiring more sophisticated, closely monitored ventilation....