Bengaluru: After the shocking death of four infants at the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) of Kempegowda Institute of Medical Sciences (KIMS) that saw the wrath of angry parents is now fully functional and is treating 15 high-risk infant cases.
The hospital is doing everything in its powers to regain the trust of parents. “At the NICU, we also revived a baby who was prematurely born and weighed less than 1 kg yesterday (Friday),” said Dr R. Nisarga, Chairman, KIMS.
The hospital , which is the second best option for low-income groups after the government-run Victoria Hospital, was definitely shaken after the four infants died.
“The day the NICU resumed operations, we had eight babies. More importantly, we have appointed a dedicated neonatologist at the NICU now and he is specialist in that field,” said Dr Nisarga, “Earlier, paediatricians were managing the NICU, which requires a certain amount of expertise. That is the reason we now have someone who is exclusively trained in neonatalogy, who will guide other doctors as well,” Dr Nisarga said.
With this, the confidence of both the people and the institute has increased. “Our institute's confidence in handling such cases has increased with this appointment. When the neonatalogist goes to seminars and submits research papers and attends conferences, the public will also have more confidence in us.” The neonatalogist is assisted by another team of doctors, including associate professors and resident scholars. “He will be assisted by assistant professors and senior and junior residents who will be trained and learn on the way,” Dr Nisraga added.
The hospital has also increased security outside the NICU. “We have strengthened the security and changed the security personnel who have been given strict instructions not to allow anyone inside,” said the Chairman. The Institute is also planning to install CCTV cameras inside the NICU and televisions outside to allow parents to watch their children inside.
