Health dept launches the NICU ambulance service for first time in Karnataka

BENGALURU: The state health department has launched a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) ambulance service for the first time in Karnataka in order to prevent infant mortality. The neonatal ambulances have been launched for emergency treatment of children under five years of age.

State Health minister Dinesh Gundurao flagged off four NICU ambulance services at the Aryogya Soudha on Magadi Road in Bengaluru on Wednesday.

Health Minister Dinesh Gundurao said, “Newborn babies struggle to adjust to the outside atmosphere post delivery. In such cases, the newborn babies may face many health problems. Hence, the state health department has started the NICU ambulance service for the first time in the state to provide emergency health care while the newborn baby is being shifted from one hospital to another”.

“These ambulances will be helpful in safely transporting premature babies and during serious health emergencies safely further treatment. This ambulances have modern life-saving equipment including ventilator, incubator, oxygen, pulse check and injections.

The NICU ambulances are currently functioning in four districts — Bengaluru, Hubballi, Mysuru, and Kalaburagi. The neonatal ambulances have been assigned to operate in Vanivilas Hospital in Bengaluru, Cheluvamba Hospital in Mysuru, Raichur Institute of Medical Sciences in Raichur, and Karnataka Institute of Medical Sciences in Hubballi. The ambulances will have a neonatologist and nurses have been appointed to take care of the newborn babies so that the chances of survival of newborn babies increase.