The Babies’ Critical Care Unit (SNCU, NICU & MNCU) at the Ganesh Das Government Maternal and Child Health Hospital was today inaugurated by Chief Minister Conrad Sangma.
The new facilities at the hospital will cater to high risk pregnant women and newborns requiring higher level of care. The infrastructure will enable the hospital to attend to post newborn surgery care, phototherapy, central venous catheterization, etc.
Ganesh Das now becomes the first government hospital in the state to have the unit.
The 30-bed SNCU-NICU complex was constructed and operationalised on May 1 this year, through hospital funds generated from PMJAY-MHIS. The complex includes six NICU beds with advanced features (Non-Invasive and Invasive Ventilation, CPAP and HFNC) and a separate 10-bedded maternal and newborn care unit.
Some of the equipment is funded by the Meghalayan Medical Drugs and Services Limited and additional staff nurses and Grade IV staff is funded by the office of DHS-MI.
Speaking during the inauguration, the Chief Minister said that there is a potential in all health centers of the state but it is not only the investments in terms of infrastructure, machines or equipment that brings about a change but the human touch that are the real agents of change. “It is inspiring and motivating to see that a team in spite of the challenges are bringing transformation and change in Ganesh Das Hospital,” he said. He added that this kind of story should be shared with other health centers across the state so that they can be inspired to be the change they desire to see.
He mentioned that about 9 per cent of the state budget is spent on health sector and assured that the government will extend support for improving further infrastructure in Ganesh Das Hospital.
The Chief Minister also informed that the state government is moving very aggressively to ensure that by next year the Shillong Medical College starts and the Tura Medical College by 2026.
He further urged doctors and staff of Ganesh Das Hospital to be driven by a purpose to save lives.
Health Minister Ampareen Lyngdoh said the unit is a beacon of hope for the citizens of the state.
She also informed that the government is working to resolving the issues faced by contractual health staff and appealed doctors serving outside the state to come back and serve the people.
