JOIN USIntensive care unit to ensure infant health
In an effort to check infant mortality rate and also malnutrition, Cheluvamba Children’s Hospital in the city got a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU).
Six incubators with advanced technology making the unit was dedicated by medical education and district in-charge minister S A Ramdas on Saturday.
Speaking on the occasion, the minister said the facility will largely benefit the people of economically backward community who are the only takers of the government hospitals.
The rate of infant mortality is also considerably high among them. Regarding malnutrition, he said High Court is also worried about the pathetic situation. According to a report submitted by the Justice Patil committee constituted to study malnutrition, the government has decided to set up malnutrition rehabilitation unit at all government hospitals which again is to facilitate poor people.
Apart from a regular 20-bed ward at Cheluvamba hospital, the unit also promises entertainment for children. Television, play area and comic books are arranged to create a homely atmosphere at the hospital . He said, a survey is being done gram panchayat wise to identify kids suffering from malnutrition, who would be provided with nutritional food.
Mentioning about the B Sc nursing courses introduced at K R Hospital, he said, admission will be provided to a total of 100 candidates. Works on new building for the college on the premises of PK-TB Sanatorium on KRS road at an estimated cost of Rs 22 crore on eight acre of land will begin soon.
After inspecting the land where a cancer unit would be set up at the same premises, Ramdas said, 2.5 acre of land has been identified for the purpose and presently a hospital with 10 beds has been started.
The proposed cancer hospital would be established at an estimated cost of Rs 60 crore and Central government will be providing Rs 50 crore while the State has sanctioned its part of Rs 10 crore. He said, a full-fledged Sri Jayadeva Cardiovascular Sciences and Research Centre would be set up on a 15 acre of land at an estimated cost of Rs 75 crore. This will be in addition to the existing unit at K R Hospital.
“A sum of Rs 15 crore has been already released for the first phase of works” , Ramdas said. Director and dean of MMC and RI Dr Geetha K Avadhani, PK-TB hospital superintendent Dr G M Kudari, superintendent of Cheluvamba Hospital Dr B Krishnamurthy, Dr B G Sagar of K R Hospital were present.