Odisha Hospital Introduces Spiritual Bhajans in ICUs to Enhance Patient Healing

To assist doctors in treating patients, the SCB Medical College and Hospital in Cuttack, Odisha, has announced a unique approach. They will be playing “spiritual bhajans” in all of their Intensive Care Units (ICUs), according to a report.

The medical authorities at SCB Medical College believe that playing spiritual bhajans in ICUs can provide therapeutic benefits and comfort to patients. Health experts at the hospital are convinced that instrumental versions of these devotional songs can be particularly effective for critically ill patients.

The hospital administration recently approved the proposal for music therapy, recognizing its potential to enhance patient recovery by creating a positive and spiritual environment.

Dr. Abinash Rout, the hospital’s vice-chancellor, expressed his thoughts on the matter, saying, “If we can introduce instrumental music in the ICUs, its soothing sounds can have a healing impact. After careful consideration of the proposal, we have decided to implement instrumental music in all our ICUs soon. We will follow the government’s procedures and soon issue a tender for this purpose,” as reported by the local media outlet OTV.

According to hospital officials, they plan to open a tender process to engage private firms responsible for providing music therapy in the ICUs.

Music therapy in healthcare settings is not a new concept. Back in 2020, during the initial wave of the coronavirus pandemic, music and laughter therapy were introduced as part of the treatment protocol for patients at Vadodara’s Sir Sayajirao General (SSG) Hospital in Gujarat.

Furthermore, a study published in The Lancet highlights the prevalence of depression among older adults. While music therapy has demonstrated its effectiveness in treating depression, the specific impact of different musical interventions on depression in older adults remains unclear.