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Is it common for newborns to need intensive care?

Neonatal mortality comprises 50% of childhood mortality.

Neonatal mortality rate in India is 41 per 1000 live births compared to less than 8 per 1000 in the developed world.

What is neonatal intensive care?

Preterm infants weigh less (750- 2000 Gms) and are often born 2-3 months early. All the organs are functionally immature. The immature lungs make it difficult for these babies to breathe and they need to be put on the ventilator (artificial respiration). They are unable to digest milk and need to be kept on intravenous nutrition till they can tolerate milk. They are at risk for infection due to less immunity. 

What is the cost of neonatal
intensive care?

  • Preterm babies need to stay in the neonatal intensive care (NICU) for as long as 3 months before parents are able to look after them at home.
  • Neonatal care is expensive. Even though government hospitals don’t charge patients, the cost of supportive care can be prohibitive for many families.
  • The cost of care for baby < 1000 grams is around Rs. 1.5 lakhs

Is neonatal care effective?

  • The results of neonatal intensive care are nothing short of a miracle. Even the smallest babies under 1 kg have an 80 % survival. Bigger babies almost always do well.
  • The good news is that most of the survivors grow to be normal healthy adults and lead normal happy lives.

Why is neonatal care a priority for Healing Touch?

For a doctor, there is no greater challenge than to help the smallest and weakest amongst us survive. And there is no greater satisfaction than to see these miracles go home to an ecstatic family.

Results of NICU are excellent in private hospitals. However a lack of optimum supportive care due to economic reasons affects the results in government hospitals where the less privileged families are looked after.

What can we do to help?

Healing Touch has tied up with government hospitals to provide financial assistance for newborns fighting their lonely battle in the NICU.

Financial assistance can provide these babies with expensive medications and other supportive care.

Wise Words from a NICU MOM

NICU Babies are true survivors.
They show us the power of faith and prayer,
And the strength of the human spirit.