Health minister promises 2 NICUs with civic body’s help

NASHIK: State health minister Deepak Sawant has proposed to set up two neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) in Nashik with the help of the local civic body.

He was in the city to review the work of the health department in the district. District collector Radhakrishnan B, NMC commissioner Tukaram Mundhe and Nashik Zilla Parishad CEO Naresh Gite were also present in the meeting.

“The department will set up of two NICUs in the city provided the Nashik Municipal Corporation (NMC) takes up the responsibility of getting the neonatologists. The problem is that the state in unable to get the full time specialists. But if NMC can arrange for the specialists, the department would create the proper infrastructure for the NICUs,” Sawant said.

According to him, since the Medical Council of India has still not started the process of education and certification of neonatologists in the country, currently Indians take lessons in the subject in Australia. They return and practice here. But their demand for the salary is very high.

“NMC can set up a panel of doctors, who are available in the city for the purpose. The government will provide the infrastructure. An excellent arrangement for neonates can be made, which will significantly bring down the costs of treatment through government structure,” Sawant said.

Nashik unit president of Indian Medical Association Avesh Palod pointed out that getting neonatologist was a difficult job as the government did not pay them handsomely. “The payment of the neonatologists is too high for the government. The government should allow private practice and only then are they likely to offer their services,” Palod, who attended the meeting, said. During the meeting, the minister also announced setting up of two more child treatment centres – one each in Surgana and Peth for the benefit of the tribals. “We have one centre in Trimbakeshwar, where the children are given the primary care and stabilized before rushing them to civil hospital. Such centres prove crucial in saving lives,” Sawant said.