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Dera Ismail Khan , Jun 05 (APP): A major step forward in public healthcare has been marked in Dera Ismail Khan with the inauguration and operational launch of a state-of-the-art Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), offering critical care services for premature and seriously ill newborns in the region.
This advanced medical facility is now one of the most well-equipped in the province, designed to meet international standards of neonatal care, and features specialized zones and cutting-edge equipment aimed at delivering high-quality neonatal care in accordance with modern medical standards, the hospital official said.
The NICU features a dedicated phototherapy room outfitted with 20 LED-based units that use deep blue light technology to effectively treat neonatal jaundice. It also includes an incubator room with 15 modern incubators that provide continuous automated monitoring of infants’ heart rate, oxygen saturation, respiratory patterns, and body temperature.
To support newborns facing severe breathing difficulties, the unit houses 10 high-tech ventilators capable of delivering both Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) and high-frequency ventilation. Ten digital monitors have been installed throughout the unit to track vital signs such as ECG, blood pressure, oxygen levels, and body temperature in real time.
The facility also includes two portable digital X-ray machines capable of producing over 100 diagnostic images daily, enabling rapid and on-site radiological assessments. For cases requiring specialist input, a telemedicine room has been set up to facilitate consultations with international neonatal experts.
A fully functional laboratory within the NICU provides immediate diagnostic services, including blood tests, electrolyte analysis, and sepsis screening. For postnatal care, the facility has been equipped with 50 advanced bassinets to ensure the safety and comfort of newborns during recovery.
In addition, resuscitation units have been installed with oxygen blenders, suction devices, and Ambu bags to handle emergencies effectively. The NICU also features a Kangaroo Mother Care (KMC) room, offering a supportive and comfortable environment where mothers can stay close to their infants and engage in skin-to-skin contact, which is known to aid neonatal development and bonding.
the facility represents a major step forward in delivering quality, accessible healthcare in Dera Ismail Khan. “This NICU is one of the most advanced in the province and brings world-class neonatal care within reach for thousands of families,” the hospital official said.
Residents have welcomed the project with enthusiasm, seeing it as a long-overdue addition to the region’s healthcare landscape. “This facility is a blessing for our city,” said Amina Bibi, a local mother. “We finally have the medical care our newborns need—right here, at home.”
The NICU is now fully operational and receiving patients, the official said.