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Haryana launches specialised infant care unit at Sohna Subdivisional Hospital

The unit, constructed at a cost of ₹41 lakh, can treat 14 infants at a time and is equipped with advanced incubators, and more

Updated on: Aug 7, 2024, 06:14:06 IST
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A special newborn care unit (SNCU) was made operational at the Sohna Subdivisional hospital on Monday, said Haryana health department officials on Tuesday. They said that the unit was launched by the state health minister Kamal Gupta. They said that building the unit at the subdivisional was part of the Haryana government’s effort to strengthen the public health care system and bring down the state’s infant mortality rate.

Haryana health minister Kamal Gupta and additional chief secy. Sudhir Rajpal virtually inaugurating the unit on Monday. (Kamal Gupta - X)
Haryana health minister Kamal Gupta and additional chief secy. Sudhir Rajpal virtually inaugurating the unit on Monday. (Kamal Gupta - X)

Minister Gupta inaugurated the SNCU virtually, highlighting its significance in combating neonatal mortality. He said this advanced facility will be effective in preventing infant mortality rates.” The unit, constructed at a cost of ₹41 lakh, can treat 14 infants at a time and is equipped with advanced incubators, a comprehensive monitoring system, a special treatment area for critical care, and a dedicated team of neonatal health professionals,” he said.

“This initiative is part of a broader effort to ensure every child born in the state gets the best possible start in life,” Gupta added during the inauguration. He further assured that high medical standards were maintained during the establishment of the facility.

Dr Virender Yadav, chief medical officer (CMO) of Haryana, also participated in the event, briefing the health minister about the hospital’s patient numbers, achievements, and other key aspects. Dr Yadav explained that the SNCU provides special care for newborns needing intensive medical attention, such as those born prematurely, with low birth weight, infections, or respiratory distress at birth. The unit is equipped with modern medical technology and staffed by highly skilled neonatal specialists, nurses, and support staff, ensuring the highest standards of care for the most vulnerable patients.

The SNCU includes 14 radiant warmers, 4 LED phototherapy units, and 6 pulse oximeters. It is supported by a paediatrician, 9 nursing officers, and 2 medical officers, all providing round-the-clock care. During the inauguration, Dr Yadav noted that the establishment of the SNCU marks a significant step towards improving neonatal health services in the Sohna region, aiming to reduce infant mortality and enhance the quality of neonatal care.

Meanwhile, minister Gupta underscored the need to raise awareness about timely and better treatment for infants to further reduce infant mortality rates. He reiterated the government’s dedication to providing advanced medical facilities and improving public health standards across the state.

  • Leena Dhankhar
    ABOUT THE AUTHOR
    Leena Dhankhar

    Leena Dhankhar is Senior Editor and Bureau Chief, Gurugram, at Hindustan Times, where she has spent over 17 years chronicling the transformation of one of India's fastest-growing urban regions. From starting her career as a crime reporter to leading the Gurugram bureau, her journalism has been defined by investigative reporting, in-depth storytelling and an unwavering focus on public interest. Over nearly two decades, she has reported extensively across crime, politics, civic governance, elections, real estate, environment, courts, sports, education and entertainment, covering Gurugram, Faridabad, Nuh and Palwal. Her reporting has exposed several major scams and systemic failures, including insurance frauds, waste management irregularities, illegal arms manufacturing units in Nuh, illegal mining in the Aravallis, organised crime networks and governance lapses affecting millions of residents. Known for her investigative work and exclusive stories, Leena has reported on high-impact national issues, including the Nicaragua charter flight carrying Indian migrants that was turned back amid allegations of human trafficking, exposing the growing network of illegal immigration rackets. Her work has also focused on gang wars, prison administration, juvenile crime, women and child protection systems, the functioning of the Juvenile Justice Board and Child Welfare Committee, and environmental challenges such as pollution, waterlogging and deteriorating civic infrastructure. Beyond hard news, Leena has extensively documented Haryana's rich heritage, forests and wildlife, bringing attention to the state's historical landmarks, biodiversity, conservation efforts and ecological challenges through immersive reportage and feature writing. Her journalism has consistently gone beyond breaking news. She has documented Gurugram's rapid urbanisation through long-form narratives and enterprise reporting on issues ranging from pothole-ridden roads, flooding and waste management to the changing social fabric of India's Millennium City. She also writes widely read feature columns, including The Outsider, Changemaker, and Concern for Gurugram, profiling people, places and ideas shaping the city's identity. Leena is the author of Gurugram School Murder, published by Juggernaut Books, a deeply reported account of one of India's most high-profile school murder investigations. She is currently working on her second book, an investigative work exploring some of India's most significant scams and fraud investigations. Beyond print journalism, she has expanded her storytelling through public speaking and digital media. She is a TEDx speaker and has produced podcasts exploring Gurugram's transformation, civic challenges and untold stories. Her work reflects a commitment to narrative journalism that combines rigorous reporting with compelling storytelling. A law graduate with an MBA in Human Resources, Leena brings a multidisciplinary perspective to her reporting, particularly on governance, public policy and legal affairs. She has travelled extensively across India to pursue investigative assignments, often reporting from remote locations and conflict-prone areas in search of stories that matter.Read More