Chandigarh: Strengthening its preparedness to save the lives of critically ill newborns, Haryana is adding 19 additional neonatal ventilators neonatal ventilators worth approximately Rs. 7 crore to augment the existing infrastructure across the state. With 54 neonatal ventilators available across its Special Newborn Care Units (SNCUs), the state is further strengthening its capacity to respond to critical situations and ensure timely respiratory support for vulnerable newborns.
Alongside this, Haryana is undertaking a statewide initiative to transform specialised newborn care facilities into integrated Mother Newborn Care Units (MNCUs), enabling mothers to remain close to their babies during hospital treatment wherever medically appropriate, Additional Chief Secretary, Health & Family, Dr. Sumita Misra said on Wednesday.
The initiative aims to reduce avoidable separation between mothers and hospitalised newborns by combining specialised medical treatment with continuous maternal presence, breastfeeding support and family participation in patient care.
The model is particularly relevant for premature and low-birth-weight babies who may require prolonged hospitalisation, feeding assistance, temperature regulation and close medical monitoring.
According to the Health Department, an implementation research study on Immediate Kangaroo Mother Care was initiated at District Hospital, Ambala City, by the Society for Applied Studies and the World Health Organization in collaboration with the Haryana government.
By integrating specialised treatment with maternal presence and family participation, the programme aims to provide vulnerable newborns with the benefits of medical care alongside the comfort and support of their mothers during recovery, she added
