Rainbow Children’s Hospital Celebrates the Resilience of Preterm Babies

Chennai, December, 2024: Rainbow Children’s Hospital, Guindy, Chennai, recently organized a heartwarming event on November 23rd, 2024, to celebrate the resilience of premature babies and their families. The event brought together nearly 50 preterm warriors and their loved ones, who stole the show with their joyful giggles, smiles, and playful antics. The event was not only a celebration of these little champions but also a moment for families to reflect on their journey and express deep gratitude to the medical team that supported them.
The event was indeed graced by distinguished guests, to name a few: chief guest Mrs. Rithika Tamilselvi of Vijay TV fame, Lead Consultant Neonatologist and Perinatologist, Rainbow Children’s Hospital, Guindy-Dr. Rahul Anand Yadav, Regional Head of Rainbow Children’s Hospital, Chennai-Mr. Mani Maran P, Unit Head of Rainbow Children’s Hospital, Guindy-Mrs. Hema Vijaykumar, and senior consultants Dr. Arun Kumar and Dr. Arun Sundaram. The day was a testament to the unwavering commitment of the hospital’s team showcasing the unique talents of every child and a nostalgic journey down memory lane for all the parents and staff who were there.
Dr. Rahul Anand Yadav hailed the impressive strides made on the Infant Mortality Rate in Tamil Nadu. According to the Health Management Information System, the IMR dropped from 13 per 1,000 live births in 2020 to 8.2 per 1,000 live births between April and December 2023, thanks to the dedicated efforts of both the public and private medical sectors. He stressed that with the survival rate of preterm babies improving, the continued focus on quality care will further reduce neonatal mortality.
According to Dr. Arun Kumar, Senior Consultant Neonatologist, “Preterm babies deserve the best care around the world. It’s a fact that over 13 million preterm babies are born every year according to WHO statistics.” He mentioned the theme of the conference, “Championing Quality Care for Every Preterm Newborn,” pointing to the task of the medical fraternity toward ensuring that every preterm baby gets world-class care, irrespective of the geographical location.
Dr. Arun Sundaram also emphasized that safety and quality care are a basic right for every newborn. Mrs. Rithika Tamilselvi echoed this, urging society to stand by and support the cause of quality care for preterm neonates, thus emphasizing optimism and compassion as the way to nurture these tiny warriors.
As Rainbow Children’s Hospital approaches its 25th anniversary, the Guindy unit shines bright as a beacon of excellence in neonatal care with over 36 beds, advanced ventilators, hybrid incubators, inhaled Nitric Oxide therapy, and a full range of super-specialty services. This facility has played a pivotal role in the successful discharge of more than 100 babies born at less than 26 weeks, ensuring neurological survival. One of the most premature babies born in India at 22 weeks and weighing 445 grams was treated in the NICU of Rainbow Children’s Hospital, Guindy.
The event conveyed a robust message to society: with advanced technology, expert medical care, and compassionate support, prematurely born babies can grow up with a normal life and become tomorrow’s stars. This event thus not only celebrated the progress gained in neonatal care but also went on to highlight the efforts made to provide exceptional care for the tiniest and most vulnerable newborns on a continued basis.