Hyderabad, October 3rd, 2018: The National Family Health Survey results released recently shows how far the states in India are lagging behind in achieving the infant mortality rate target set by the Centre of 28 deaths per 1,000 live births, by 2019. Doctors claim that the total under five mortality rate in Telangana is at 32. To combat this Apollo Cradle has announced the opening of Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU), which provides high level of intensive care to critically ill childrenwith advanced technologies and 24/7 back up of super specialists.
Apollo Cradle has built a reputation for clinical excellence and has the capabilities to handle high risk pregnancies, complex pre-term babies and critically ill children & infants. Today we are launching PICU with continuous support from multidisciplinary team which includes Pediatric Cardiologist, Pediatric Nephrologist, Pediatric Rheumatologist, Pediatric Neurologist, Pediatric Gastroenterologist&Pediatric Endocrinologist, etc. The unit is also staffed with fulltime Pediatric Intensivists, Pediatric Nurses and Paramedical Personnel, Support Staff which includes Respiratory Therapist, Physiotherapists and Nutritionists.This PICU is capable of serving children with acute critical illness, serious injuries from accidents, burns, severe neurological illness or injury, cardiac problems, and those who have undergone complex surgery. This initiative is in line with Apollo Cradle’s philosophy that “With us, always in Safe Hands.”
During the launch ceremony of PICU Dr. C. Suresh Kumar, Head, Department of Pediatrics & Neonatology, Apollo Cradle said “We launched the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit to ease infants & children with critical diseases. Our team offers round-the-clock care by super specialists to ensure that the patients have the best possible care available to them.” We are extending our world-class care from Maternity and Neonatology care to Paediatric care services.
On the occasion, Dr. Ajay Gangoli, Director Medical Services, Apollo Health & Lifestyle Ltd. said “Apollo Cradle has built a reputation for clinical excellence, and has the capability to handle high risk pregnancies, complex pre-term babies & critically ill children & infants. Apollo always provides world-class healthcare services to the patients and ensures that they get the best clinical care. The launch of the PICU shall provide state-of-art care for children with life threatening medical and surgical conditions.”
Mr. Neeraj Garg, CEO, Apollo Health & Lifestyle Ltd. said “Apollo has always believed in bringing cutting-edge technologies to India, and committed to putting our patients and their families first. With this belief, the launch of the PICU shall give critically ill infants & children in Hyderabad the same quality of care that the best hospitals internationally can offer.”
Three Apollo Cradle centres have PICUs with this and will be expanding it to 5 more in due course. Dr. Sharmila Kaza, Consultant Paediatrician, Apollo Cradle, said, PICU addresses the needs of children from six months to twelve years, while Neonatology ICU takes care of just born infants till they are six months old. Ailments specific to this age group has to be dealt differently. The set of conditions, problems and complications are totally different in children from that in the adults and need to be addressed in a manner suitable for that age. In an emergency a child may give just a couple of minute time, while an adult can sustain for a longer time, so we have to deal with the necessary swiftness. At the PICU the patient is stabilised first, the problem is diagnosed and treated by a group of multi specialists.
About Apollo Cradle
Apollo Cradle, India’s leading hospital network for Women and Children, is driven by the aim to provide the highest standards of Clinical Excellence, with Personalised Care to each mother. Apollo Cradle offers Maternity, Gynaecology, Pediatric, Neonatal and IVF services in Hyderabad, Bangalore, Delhi, Chennai & Amritsar. It is driven by the vision of Apollo to offer healthcare of international standards in India. In 35 years, over 1,50,000+ babies have been safely delivered, and yet each mother and baby remains unique to us. Apollo Cradle, with highly trained specialists, many with international experience, advanced technology and well trained nurses is equipped to manage high risk pregnancies, complex pre-term babies, difficult fertility cases and children with medical and surgical complications.
