Media Release

Bengaluru, Jul 13: St John’s Medical College Hospital, Bengaluru known for establishing one of the first neonatal intensive care units in the city has introduced a pioneering state-of-the-art Mother-Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (MNICU), a first in South India, emphasizing a 'zero separation from birth' approach. This innovative unit is designed to implement Kangaroo Mother Care (KMC) immediately after birth, a practice strongly recommended by the World Health Organization for its critical role in reducing neonatal mortality and morbidity. The MNICU's application of KMC aims to decrease infant deaths and infections, mitigate complications like hypothermia, and foster early bonding and breastfeeding, thereby potentially shortening hospital stays. It is estimated that 4 million newborn lives can be saved every year by adapting this model across the world.

The director of St John's National Academy of Health Sciences Fr Jesudos Rajamanickam along with the chief guest professor Ashok Deorari, the dean of Himalayan Institute of Medical Sciences Dehradun inaugurated the MNICU on July 13. On this occasion Dr Basavaraj deputy director child health Karnataka and Dr Amlin Shukla, scientist from ICMR were also present.

Speaking on the occasion the dignitaries expressed joy and hoped the new facility will be instrumental in opening a new dimension in the way we care for our newborn babies. Dr Suman Rao, head of neonatology who is leading this initiative said, “Currently the NICU separates these vulnerable babies from their mothers at a time when they need them the most, the MNICU overcomes this barrier. Keeping the mother and the baby together helps the baby to survive and thrive. This is a total paradigm shift in the care of the small and sick newborn."

The hospital’s M-NICU marks the first of its kind in the South of India in a private set-up amid the Indian healthcare ecosystem, with special focus on Kangaroo Mother Care and immediate skin-to-skin contact after birth. The vulnerable preterm and low birth weight newborns can now receive 24x7 high level intensive care facilities like non-invasive ventilation, CPAP, total parenteral nutrition,without being separated from the warm embrace of their mothers. 

The unit prioritises a 'zero separation from birth' policy which means the mother and her newborn are cared together which in alignment with World Health Organization’s (WHO) research which found the indisputable role of immediate-after-birth Kangaroo Mother Care (KMC) in saving lives of neonates.

With ever-rising neonatal deaths due to prematurity and low birth weights, the establishment of M-NICUs has become the need of the hour. WHO’s Immediate Kangaroo Mother Care (iKMC) trial, conducted in five centers, including India, focused on infants weighing 1 to 1.8 kgs. Research revealed that initiating KMC immediately after birth and prolonging its duration reduced neonatal deaths by 25%. This led to the establishment of M-NICUs, emphasizing the critical role of early initiation of continuous Kangaroo Mother Care in enhancing the survival of preterm infants.

With the launch of their M-NICU, SJMCH aims to foster a supportive environment for new mothers and neonates alike. The hospital provides subsidized stays for families ensuring a holistic approach to care. With earmarked spaces for self-care and regular rounds by the obstetric and Neonatology teams, the M-NICU will be serving many mother-neonate dyads.

This M NICU at SJMCH will serve as a model centre of excellence and in collaboration with the government of Karnataka and ICMR, SJRI and KHPT will replicate the same model in other districts in Karnataka such as Kolar, Koppal and Chitradurga

This milestone aligns with the commitment for advancements in healthcare and the vision of St John's Medical College. This model is going to be replicated in many other centres across the state and country in association with the state and central government to have major impact of saving newborn lives.

By prioritizing Zero Separation, promoting Immediate Kangaroo Mother Care, and providing comprehensive support, a large number of sick and vulnerable newborns can dream of a bright future ahead.