Aster Whitefield Hospital Launches Karnataka’s First Dedicated Liver ICU: Pivotal

shift in Liver specific critical care in the Region

Bengaluru, April 24, 2026: Taking a major initiative towards expert liver care, Aster
Whitefield Hospital has declared the launch of the first dedicated Liver Intensive Care Unit
(ICU) in Karnataka. This is a state-of-the-art facility designed only for liver failure patients,
those having biliary problems, and liver transplant cases. The ICU, named SHIELD
(Specialized Hepatic Intensive & Emergency Liver Division), is a state-of-the-art facility
designed only for liver failure patients, those having biliary problems, and liver transplant
cases. Setting the Liver specific ICU as a real rescue for patients in critical conditions, it is a
confluence of renowned doctors, modern facilities, and continuous patient monitoring to
provide very specialised, multiple discipline care aimed at improving patient outcomes.

Through this, Aster has once again shown its desire to promote islands of excellence aimed at
quaternay single organ care pathways for better results of patients with complicated liver
diseases. The programme was honoured by the presence of Dr. C. N. Manjunath, Hon'ble
Member of Parliament (Lok Sabha) as the Chief Guest.

Speaking ahead of the inauguration, Dr. C. N. Manjunath said: Liver problems are
turning out to be a sneaky but major health issue in India, and usually, it's at a very severe
stage when the patients are found. A liver ICU dedicated to liver care opening at Aster
Whitefield Hospital is a very appropriate and great step that will enable our healthcare system
to be more efficient and quicker in handling very difficult liver cases. Apart from better
survival chances, specialized facilities equip the patient care to be comprehensive and in
collaboration of various medical disciplines."

Adding to this, Dr. H R S Girn Senior Consultant – HPB and Liver Transplant surgeon,
Aster Whitefield Hospital, said:“The establishment of a specialty Liver ICU represents an
innovative approach in the establishing single point care facility for liver sick patients
requiring what we call the Liver Arc services (Hepatology, ICU, Surgery, Transplantation,
Luminal and radiological interventions) under one roof. A person with decompensated
cirrhosis or liver failure experiences rapid changes within a short period of time. Thus, in this
case, having a speciality dedicated ICU implies that all actions can be taken efficiently and
effectively for the patients and their families. In turn, this provides a seamless referral and
healthcare delivery pathway aimed at holistic liver care, liver specific training for budding
future specialists and brings liver care at par with other resource intensive single organ
dedicated ICUs like the Cardiac or Neuro ICUs which have traditionally been the norm.

With busy lives, nuclear families and increasing liver disease burden in the country single
organ specific facilities under trusted brands like Aster are the need of the hour as a single
point contact resource for the patients suffering from life threatening conditions.”
Mr. Srikant Subudhi, Chief Operating Officer, Aster Whitefield Hospital, added:

"At Aster Whitefield Hospital, the core of our efforts is the creation of highly sophisticated,
patient-oriented healthcare ecosystems that can effectively meet the various clinical needs of
today and tomorrow. The launching of Karnataka's first dedicated Liver ICU is a powerful
indication of how we are always ready to put our money into the specialised infrastructure
which is capable of dealing with the increasing complexity of liver-related diseases. Not only
does this facility leverage state-of-the-art technology and a wide range of medical experts, but
it also ensures continuous monitoring for better clinical results and provides easier access to
specialised and high-quality treatment, "

The Liver ICU will be a collaborative endeavor by a team of highly skilled and proficient
physicians, including liver transplantation surgeons, hepatologists, and gastroenterologists, as
well as critical care specialists. This dedicated unit will try to fill a major void in the liver
care infrastructure of Karnataka, and it will be a one-stop solution for patients to get timely,
cutting-edge and life-saving treatment.