Haryana Government Invests in Essential Neonatal Care Equipment for State Hospitals
In a significant move to address rising infant mortality rates, the Haryana government has announced the procurement of critical neonatal care machines for its state-run hospitals. This initiative aims to enhance newborn survival during the crucial first week of life by providing essential tools such as radiant warmers, LED phototherapy units, and slit lamps.
Addressing a Spike in Infant Deaths
The decision follows a concerning increase in infant deaths within Haryana, particularly in the initial week after birth. Key factors contributing to this spike include untreated jaundice and inadequate thermal care for newborns. According to the Sample Registration System 2022, Haryana's infant mortality rate stands at 26 per 1,000 live births, with rural areas experiencing a higher rate of 30 compared to 20 in urban regions.
Dr. Sumita Misra, Additional Chief Secretary for Health and Family Welfare, has approved the purchase of 140 radiant warmers at a cost of Rs 82 lakh, 60 LED phototherapy units for Rs 32 lakh, and 25 slit lamps valued at Rs 74 lakh. Additionally, 1,575 plastic storage pallets, worth approximately Rs 51 lakh, will be acquired for medicine warehouses. The total investment for these machines amounts to about Rs 2.3 crore.
Distribution and Maintenance Strategy
The equipment will be allocated to hospitals based on delivery load and patient numbers under a two-year rate contract that includes comprehensive maintenance services. This strategic distribution ensures that facilities with higher demand receive the necessary resources to improve care outcomes.
Importance of the New Machines
Radiant Warmers: These devices are crucial in labor rooms for maintaining newborn body temperature immediately after delivery. Doctors emphasize that premature and underweight infants are particularly vulnerable to heat loss, which can rapidly lead to infections and other severe complications.
LED Phototherapy Units: Used to treat neonatal jaundice, a common condition that emerges days after birth, these units help stabilize bilirubin levels safely. Timely intervention with phototherapy can prevent serious issues like brain damage and reduce the need for referrals to larger hospitals, thereby alleviating financial and emotional stress for families.
Slit Lamps: Essential in eye clinics, slit lamps enable detailed examinations to detect conditions such as cataracts, infections, corneal damage, or glaucoma at an early stage. Early detection is vital for preventing long-term vision loss and ensuring better eye health outcomes for infants.
Impact on Healthcare Access and Costs
Officials note that a shortage of such equipment often forces families to seek care at private hospitals, imposing additional financial burdens. By improving access to these simple yet effective machines in government facilities, the state aims to lower infant mortality rates and enhance care quality during the critical first week of life.
Broader Health Goals and Initiatives
Neonatal mortality reduction is a key component of Sustainable Development Goal 3, which targets bringing neonatal deaths down to 12 per 1,000 live births by 2030. Haryana has already made progress, improving from 41 deaths per 1,000 live births in 2013 to 28 in 2020.
Further efforts include the Garbh-Ini initiative, launched by the central government in May 2015 at Gurgaon's Civil Hospital. This program involved tracking women from early pregnancy through delivery and postpartum, forming a cohort that contributed to the development of Garbhini-GA2. This tool utilizes machine learning to analyze ultrasound scans, aiding in better prenatal and neonatal care.
