2 min readMumbaiAug 16, 2013 02:55 AM IST
First published on: Aug 16, 2013 at 02:55 AM IST
A new neonatal care centre,with 20 per cent beds reserved for patients referred by Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC),may soon be set up on Public-Private-Partnership (PPP) basis in Andheri (West). According to Dr Bhupendra S Avasthi from Surya Child Care,a proposal has been sent to the civic health department for approval of a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU).
Neonatal period stretches for 28 days after child-birth. In India,according to Sample Registration System (SRS) 2011 data,neonatal mortality rate is 31 per 1,000 babies.
“If the plan comes through,an NICU with ventilators and Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) will be set up to supplement our existing maternity home,” said Avasthi.
A 20-bed maternity home in the same building has been functional on PPP basis for the last four-five years. The one-storey building was provided by BMC.
Avasthi added that a neonatal centre and nursery would help pre-mature or underweight (less than 2.5 kg) babies receive immediate attention instead of waiting for ventilators at tertiary hospitals.
Additional Municipal Commissioner Manisha Mhaiskar said,“The proposal is still at the lower level. However,it will be approved immediately once I get the application.”
As per the PPP mandate,20 per cent beds will be reserved for patients referred by BMC. They can avail of the treatment and medicines at the prices offered in BMC hospitals. According to Avasthi,Mumbai has around 250 beds for neonatal care. “WHO stated that every year,15 million babies are born prematurely around the world,with India accounting for 23.6 per cent,” he added.
tabassum.barnagarwala@expressindia.com
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