Infant mortality cases continue to haunt doctors at the State-run Cheluvamba Hospital even as the number of referral cases of high-risk pregnancies and complicated births from the public healthcare institutions in neighbouring districts have been rising consistently.
On an average, 550 critically ill infants are admitted to the NICU, where newborns with noticeable health problems are treated soon after their birth at the hospital every month.
Sick newborns are rushed to the NICU here from districts having government medical colleges with infrastructure of the NICU in place, according to hospital sources.
The NICU currently lacks beds to accommodate babies born in the hospital. Infant deaths have been reported even in the preceding months other than September. If 38 infant deaths have been reported since September 1, 33, 22, 28, and 30 infant deaths have been reported at the hospital in May, June, July, and August correspondingly.
The hospital has attributed infant deaths to underweight-related complications, pre-term births and medical complications such as umbilical cord prolapse, lung infections, and so on.
Mysore Medical College and Research Institute Director (in-charge) and Cheluvamba Hospital Medical Superintendent Radhamani told The Hindu that steps had been taken to expand the NICU infrastructure with the rise in cases referred from neighbouring districts.
“The hospital handles 40 deliveries daily and sometimes even more. Around 80% of pregnancy cases referred to us came with high risks and most newborns require intensive care after their birth,” she said.
Measures are on to increase the bed strength at the in-born and out-born NICUs from 40 to 50 beds. Yet, the number may not be sufficient considering the extent of referrals the hospital has been getting. As per the protocol, each newborn is taken by a dedicated nursing staff, she added.
If similar facilities in the districts are strengthened, it will help us to deal with the situation with an ease in rush. The special newborn care units set up in the taluks can offset the hospital’s current load. The NICU expansion work is being carried out at a cost of ₹4 crore. Even the number of beds at the labour ward is being increased by expanding the facility at the hospital.
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