Currently, the Department is running a level III unit (Neonatal Intensive Care Unit) with eight (8) beds (NICU-A), a level II unit (Special Newborn Care Unit) with ten beds (NICU-B) inside the LDR complex, and a level I unit (lying-in beds with mothers) with four (4) beds in the F+2 ward for the provision of KMC. In addition, the Department also looks after the neonates lying with their mothers in the postnatal ward (F+2) and private wards.

Our vision is to provide quality neonatal care services at an affordable cost in this eastern region of India. The Department does not look after only the neonates born in AIIMS Bhubaneswar (inborn), it also sees neonates referred from various public and private hospitals in Odisha and adjoining states (outborn). The Department now provides services to approximately 500 sick neonates every year delivered in AIIMS, Bhubaneswar, and referred from various public and private hospitals in and around Bhubaneswar.

The NICU is fully equipped with all up-to-date modern amenities. Various intensive care services provided in our NICU include several modes of respiratory support [continuous positive airway support (CPAP), heated humidified high flow nasal cannula (H3FNC), non-invasive ventilatory support (NIMV), high-frequency ventilation (HFV)], amplitude-integrated EEG monitoring, total parenteral nutrition therapy, central line insertion [umbilical artery line (UAC) and umbilical venous line (UVC), peripherally inserted central venous catheter (PICC) line insertion], therapeutic

hypothermia, Invasive blood pressure monitoring, ECG, non-invasive monitoring of bilirubin (transcutaneous bilirubinometer), facility for POCUS (point of care ultrasonography) for brain, lung, and echocardiography. The spectrum of screening services provided in the Department prior to discharge includes screening for critical congenital heart diseases, hearing screening, screening for inborn errors of metabolism (C.H., CAH, Galactosemia, Biotinidase deficiency, G6PD deficiency), screening for congenital cataracts, retinopathy of prematurity screening, screening for developmental dysplasia of the hip. We also provide preoperative and postoperative support to many surgical neonates/infants admitted in surgical specialties like ENT, Pediatric Surgery, and Neurosurgery. The Department is also involved in neurodevelopmental follow-up of high-risk Inborn/ Outborn NICU graduates, where the ‘BAYLEY-IV’ scale is used for psychomotor, cognitive, and language assessment.

The Department actively participates in the teaching and training of MBBS, nursing students, and postgraduate residents. The Department has been conducting a D.M. (Neonatology) program since January 2019, which is the first of its kind in Odisha. The faculties and residents frequently represent themselves in several national and international forums.

The faculties are actively involved in research, a few being sponsored by the Institute (Intramural) and a few being funded by ICMR & DBT, India (extramural). Currently, we are working with four (4) faculties, 35 Nursing Officers, and four (4) Nursing Supervisors.

The Department of Neonatology is dedicated to improving newborn health and well-being in this eastern region of our country through its untiring works in medical education, clinical care, biomedical research, innovations, and policy assistance. Since its inception in 2016, we have been striving to provide quality services to neonates irrespective of their birthplace, gender, colour, caste, religion, education, and family's economic condition. The services rendered are gentle, humane, and harmonized with love. We are envisioned to create an environment conducive to academia, research, and quality clinical care.

Our vision is to advance neonatal care across the state of Odisha. Our mission is to practice evidence-based medicine to improve the quality of care, educate the next generation of trainees in neonatal care, strengthen our efforts in research, foster novel ideas and facilitate to innovate and protect the health and well-being of neonates and infants in the surrounding local community. Our core values are integrity, accountability, diligence, perseverance, discipline, and team spirit.

a. Establishment of an eight-bedded NICU, 10-bedded SNCU, and four-bedded KMC ward (Sep, 2021)

b. Commencement of D.M. (Neonatology) program with an intake of one candidate every six months since January 2019

c. Commencement of universal hearing screening, jointly with Department of ENT & AIISH, Mysore since January 1, 2020

d. Commencement of screening for inborn errors of metabolism (Congenital hypothyroidism, Congenital adrenal hyperplasia, G6PD deficiency, Biotinidase deficiency, and Galactosemia), jointly with the Department of Biochemistry