Maternal and child services begin at Guntur GGH

Metro India News | AMARAVATI

The Andhra Pradesh government has taken a major step towards strengthening public healthcare by launching advanced maternal and child healthcare services at the newly established Dr. Kanuri–Gymkhana Mata-Sishu Super Speciality Block at Guntur Government General Hospital. Equipped with world-class facilities comparable to private corporate hospitals, the 600-bed facility has now begun conducting complex surgeries for pregnant women, newborns, and children.

Constructed at a total cost of rs 127 crore under a public-private partnership model, the super speciality block includes 10 state-of-the-art operation theatres, seven dedicated to gynaecology and obstetrics procedures and three for paediatric and neonatal surgeries. Surgical procedures officially commenced on Thursday after the completion of equipment testing and operational assessments. Two surgeries were successfully conducted on the first day.

The hospital has been equipped with advanced neonatal care technology, including Total Body Cooling Machines and High-Frequency Ventilators, facilities rarely available in government hospitals. The Total Body Cooling system is used to prevent brain damage in newborns suffering from birth asphyxia, while high-frequency ventilators support critically ill infants with severe breathing complications.

Out of the 600 beds across five floors, 300 beds have been allocated for gynaecology and maternity services, 120 for neonatal care, and 180 for children below 12 years of age. The facility is expected to serve as a major referral centre for complicated maternal and paediatric cases across the region.

Hospital Superintendent S. S. V. Ramana said the Gymkhana organisation spent nearly ₹100 crore on construction, while the government under the leadership of Health Minister Satya Kumar Yadav allocated ₹27 crore for advanced medical equipment and infrastructure.

The facility also houses a dedicated Obstetric ICU, high-risk pregnancy wards, and a Special Newborn Care Unit located adjacent to delivery theatres for rapid emergency response. Gynaecology department head Aruna Vemu said the hospital may also introduce IVF treatment services in the future.

Officials stated that the initiative significantly improves access to free, high-end healthcare for poor and economically weaker patients across Andhra Pradesh.