AIIMS Bathinda Expands NICU Facilities Under Visionary Leadership to Strengthen Neonatal Care in Malwa Region
Kanwar Inder Singh/ royalpatiala.in News/ October 18,2025
The Department of Neonatology at All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Bathinda, on auspicious occasion of Dhanteras and Diwali proudly announces the expansion of its Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) from nine to twenty beds, marking a significant step forward in advancing neonatal healthcare in the Malwa and adjoining region. This critical milestone is a testament to the visionary leadership of Prof. (Dr.) Ratan Gupta, Director, AIIMS Bathinda, whose steadfast commitment to elevating maternal and neonatal care has been instrumental in guiding this initiative from concept to reality. Under his guidance, the institution continues to evolve as a center of excellence for patient-centered, high-quality healthcare.
The expansion includes the establishment of a dedicated Maternal-Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (MNICU) and a NICU extension unit, designed to deliver comprehensive, compassionate, and family-centered care for critically ill newborns. The MNICU will allow mothers to actively participate in the care of their newborns, a tested model that promotes maternal-infant bonding, breastfeeding, and reducing neonatal mortality.
The increased NICU capacity will enable care for extremely preterm newborns, extremely low birth weight (ELBW) newborns, surgical and syndromic newborns etc., and will stop referrals caused by bed shortages. This integrated care model ensures that both mother and baby receive seamless treatment within the same facility, easing the burden on families during critical times.
This initiative would not have been possible without the continued administrative leadership and support of Prof. (Dr.) Akhilesh Pathak, Dean Academics, Prof. (Dr.) Rajiv Kumar Gupta, Medical Superintendent, Col. Rajeev Sen Roy, Deputy Director Administration, Prof. (Dr.) Lajya Devi Goyal, HoD Obstetrics and Gynaecology AIIMS Bathinda. Their unwavering dedication and collaborative efforts were pivotal in bringing this expansion to fruition.
Dr. Manish Swami and Dr. Ramandeep Kaur, Assistant Professor, Department of Neonatology, express heartfelt gratitude to the entire leadership team for their strategic vision and support. Their collective effort reaffirms AIIMS Bathinda’s mission to provide evidence-based, state-of-the-art neonatal care and to lead healthcare transformation in the region.
