Edina Rotary Foundation gives grant to neo-natal ICU in India

The Edina Rotary Foundation recently awarded a grant to install a neo-natal intensive care unit in Palampur, India, to provide low-cost or free care to the community there. An estimated 480 to 600 families are expected to benefit annually from the new unit.

 

Currently, Palampur does not have a neo-natal intensive care unit. All pre-term and special care pregnancies have to be referred outside of the state, which can be very expensive, stressful and time-consuming for many families. This unit will be installed in the local women and child care charitable hospital to provide low-cost, affordable care to the local population and free care to the under-privileged community.

 

The project has been initiated and planned by two doctors and three Rotarians, including Sandhya Gupta of the Rotary Club of Bloomington Noon. The entire project, being led locally by Gupta’s club, is estimated to cost $39,309. The Edina Rotary Foundation’s contribution is $2,500.

 

 

 

“Currently, the area does not have a neonatal ICU and the families have to go to a different state for care, which is about eight hours away by road – the only way of transport,” Gupta said. “By providing the infrastructure locally, we are increasing the chances of survival, improving quality of care in the area and reducing the financial and emotional burden of expectant families.”