In a significant development for maternal and newborn healthcare, Varanasi has received a major boost with the foundation stone laying of its first MSNCU (Maternal Sick Newborn Care Unit) building. South city MLA and former minister Neelkanth Tiwari performed the ceremony on Sunday at the Government District Women’s Hospital in Kabirchaura. The state-of-the-art health unit, built at an estimated cost of approximately Rs 2.55 crore, promises to become a modern medical hub for poor women and newborn infants.
Details of the New Unit
During the foundation stone laying event, Tiwari announced that the proposed building will house 24 beds each for mothers and their newborns. This unit will enable mothers suffering from severe post-delivery complications and sick newborns to receive coordinated treatment under one roof. Previously, premature or critically ill infants had to be separated from their mothers and transferred to other hospitals, causing both physical and mental distress. Once operational, premature and weak infants will receive better medical care while staying close to their mothers.
Advanced Facilities and Benefits
The MSNCU will be equipped with cutting-edge technology and trained medical staff. Facilities such as minimally invasive ventilation, phototherapy, warmers, and incubators will be available. Tiwari noted that the women's hospital handles a high volume of deliveries daily, and many patients come from surrounding districts. This unit is expected to reduce the number of referrals to BHU and other major hospitals, playing a key role in lowering the neonatal mortality rate. After Ghaziabad, this will be Uttar Pradesh's second state-of-the-art MSNCU, with construction targeted for completion within four months.
