Ericsson and Save the Children Strengthen Critical Pediatric Care in Five Cities

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National: To serve the needs of critically-ill children in the age group 0-12 years, Ericsson and Save the Children, India’s leading child rights organisation, have set up modern Pediatric Intensive Care Units (PICU) across government hospitals in the five cities of Kolkata, Hyderabad, Pune, Jaipur and Indore.

The critical care facility at the CMC Jijamata Maternity Hospital (Pune), Niloufer Hospital (Hyderabad), Institute of Child Health (Kolkata), PC Seithy Hospital (Indore), Pandit Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Hospital (Gangori, Jaipur) has been provided life-saving equipment like ventilators, oxygen concentrators, Bi-PAP machines, pulse oximeters, and other critical medical supplies. The equipment will not only cater to COVID cases in children but will also be life-saving for over 50,000 children in respiratory distress (lack of oxygen due to infections and pneumonia), critically ill and OPD cases in the city and from nearby areas. The health facilities are now geared up operationally to provide high-quality care to children. The paediatric care unit in Kolkata was inaugurated on site recently.

Speaking on the occasion, Amitabh Ray, MD, Ericsson India Global Services stated, “The paediatric wards across these hospitals will cater to more than 50,000 children in the first year itself. We hope this partnership with Save the Children towards strengthening the pediatric facilities will go a long way towards making a difference in the lives of young children who need critical medical care.”  

Anindit Roy Chowdhury, Chief Programme Officer, Save the Children added, “Save the Children, with support from Ericsson India, have partnered with government hospitals in select cities to intensify the pediatric care requirements. Our purpose is to build technical and infrastructural capacities in these hospitals so that children get crucial paediatric medical care. Along with Ericsson, we are committed to ascertaining the sustainability of the efforts that have been undertaken. Through this joint initiative, over 50,000 children in need of critical care would get lifesaving facilities and we look forward to improving the childcare facilities in the country through this initiative.”

A hospital visit for young patients can be quite disturbing. Keeping this in mind, the facilities have been designed in a child-friendly manner with colourful wall paintings and toys to keep them pleasing for children. This would also provide a therapeutic environment for children to get over any feelings of fear or anxiety and encourage them to interact with their peers in a normal way.