Government Kama Hospital in South Mumbai is all set to launch a modular Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) later this month. The advanced facility, designed to treat critically ill newborns, will have 21 beds and aims to provide infection-free treatment, bringing relief to both medical professionals and families.
Kama Hospital Superintendent Dr. Highlighting the need for this facility, Tushar Palve said, “We have been trying to establish a state-of-the-art NICU for more than two decades. This new modular setup will not only address bed shortages but also improve the overall quality of neonatal care by reducing the risk of infection.”
The hospital, known for its expertise in gynecology and obstetrics, often manages high-risk deliveries, including premature births. Dr. Palve said, “Premature babies usually weigh 500 to 700 grams and require intensive care for at least one to two months until they gain sufficient weight, i.e. 1.5 to 2 kilograms. This new NICU will ensure that these critical cases are managed more efficiently.”
Hospitals in Mumbai are facing severe shortage of NICU facilities. As families often have to travel from one hospital to another in search of available NICU beds, government and BMC hospitals are regularly facing capacity issues. “Demand for NICU beds far exceeds supply, which puts enormous pressure on families and healthcare providers. In many cases, timely treatment is severely lacking in NICU facilities. As families often have to travel from one hospital to another in search of available NICU beds, government and BMC hospitals are regularly facing capacity issues. “Demand for NICU beds far exceeds supply, which puts enormous pressure on families and healthcare providers. In some cases, due to lack of beds, timely treatment is challenging,’ said a pediatrician associated with the hospital.
Kama Hospital’s old NICU had only seven beds, which often led to stressful conditions for both doctors and parents. “With limited resources, we were under great pressure to balance emergency cases and routine treatments. The new NICU will significantly reduce this burden,” added a senior doctor from Kama.
The construction work of modular NICU started 6 months ago at a cost of 24 million rupees. Hospital officials are confident that the upgraded facility will not only accommodate more patients but also enhance infection control measures.
“This NICU represents a leap forward in neonatal care for the hospital and the city. We are hopeful that it will be a game changer for newborns requiring intensive care,” added Dr. Palve.