The government-run MKCG Medical College and Hospital in Berhampur inaugurated a special mother newborn care unit (MNCU) on Sunday, marking the first such facility in Odisha. The 10-bed unit, equipped with modern medical equipment, was officially opened by Berhampur MLA K Anil Kumar in the presence of the medical college's dean-cum-superintendent, Suchitra Dash, and several senior doctors.
Integrated Care for Mothers and Newborns
Established under the National Health Mission (NHM), the unit aims to provide integrated care to mothers and newborns, ensuring that they are not separated during hospital stay. In the MNCU, each mother's bed is placed next to her baby's incubator. This arrangement helps maintain the baby's body temperature, reduces infection risk, improves nutrition, and promotes faster weight gain, said Dash.
On average, 30 deliveries take place daily at the medical college, which serves as the referral hospital for southern Odisha. The unit will be managed collaboratively by the gynaecology and paediatrics departments. Trained nurses will be deployed, and mothers will receive education on newborn care, Dash added.
Expansion Plans and Benefits
Dash also noted that the NHM has sanctioned MNCUs for SCB Medical College in Cuttack and PRMMCH in Mayurbhanj, indicating a broader rollout across the state. The Berhampur MLA emphasized that the initiative would play a crucial role in reducing infant mortality and promoting breastfeeding, thereby strengthening the emotional bond between mother and child after delivery. The facility is expected to benefit residents from rural and remote areas, he added.
In addition to the MNCU, the MLA inaugurated additional beds for the high dependence unit of the gynaecology department, increasing its total capacity to eight beds.
