Date:19/07/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/07/19/stories/2007071960320700.htm

Tamil Nadu

UNICEF donates transport units for newborns

Special Correspondent

They are provided under the Tsunami Recovery Programme

— Photo: V. Ganesan

WELL EQIUPPED: Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi having a look at the mobile neonatal intensive care unit donated by UNICEF, at the Secretariat in Chennai on Wednesday. Cecilio Adorna, Country Representative, UNICEF, is in the picture.

CHENNAI: UNICEF Country Representative Cecilio Adorna handed over the keys for six mobile emergency transport units for newborns to Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi at the Secretariat on Wednesday.

The units, costing $2,70,000, were provided under the Tsunami Recovery Programme, according to UNICEF officials.

The programme is aimed at supplying neonatal transport units for transporting infants, who need emergency care, from primary health centres to larger district hospitals with sophisticated care.

Clinical status

The neonatal transport units are equipped to stabilise the clinical status of babies en route.

On a trial basis, a team has been created at some primary health centres in the tsunami-affected districts of Kancheepuram, Cuddalore and Nagapattinam for transporting infants.

Each team includes drivers, nurses and paramedical staff of the PHC.

Those involved in transport of sick and newborn have been trained through mock demonstrations at Sahishnatha Trust, attached to Vijaya Health Centre in Chennai.

Health Minister KKSSR Ramachandran, Chief Secretary L.K.Tripathy, Health Secretary V.K. Subburaj and UNICEF representatives Thomas George and Barbara Atherly were present.