Bareilly District Women Hospital to Get Unit for Sick Newborn

In a relief to the parents of newborn babies, women district hospital will soon have a sick newborn care unit (SNCU). The women hospital currently does not have an SNCU, and if a newborn develops some complication, the child is admitted to pediatric ward of the district hospital. With the mother at the women’s hospital and her child admitted to the district men hospital, feeding the newborn becomes a serious problem, which at times aggravates their illness. Dr Sadhana Saxena, chief medical superintendent (CMS), women district hospital, said, “The state government has allotted a budget of ₹25 lakh for the procurement of equipment needed for SNCU. We have set up a room, and once the budget is released, we will buy the equipment. Besides, the government will appoint four pediatricians and staff nurses for SNCU.”

She added that when SNCU will become functional, it will ensure better treatment to both mother and her child. At present, deliveries take place at the women district hospital and newborn babies with complications are admitted to the pediatric ward of the men’s hospital. “We give fluid to newborn for two days, but the child needs to be fed by mother after that. Nurses take children to their mothers at the women’s hospital for feeding. But, sometimes when a child is taken out of the ward, his condition deteriorates,” said Dr KS Gupta, CMS, district hospital. “Nearly six months ago, when a newborn was sent to his mother for feeding, the child developed complication as milk went to his lungs. If SNCU is at the women’s hospital, such problems can be avoided,” he added. – TOI