MGM Healthcare Inaugurates India's First Centralised Paediatric Care & Neonatal ECMO Centre

• Centralized ECMO Facility for Children and Newborns

Chennai: 27th July, 2023: MGM Healthcare, a leading quaternary care multi-speciality hospital in Chennai, today inaugurated its Centralized Paediatric and Neonatal ECMO Centre. The inauguration ceremony was graced by esteemed dignitaries, including Dr. K R Balakrishnan, Chairman - Institute of Cardiac Sciences | Director - Institute of Heart and Lung Transplant & Mechanical Circulatory Support, MGM Healthcare; Dr. Suresh Rao, Co- Director - Institute of Heart and Lung Transplant & Mechanical Circulatory Support, MGM Healthcare; Mr. Harish Manian, Group CEO, MGM Healthcare; Dr. Kalaimaran Sadasivam – Senior Consultant, and Clinical Lead – Pediatric Intensive Care; Dr. Binu Ninan, Senior Consultant & HOD Paediatrics & Neonatology MGM Healthcare; and Dr. Ananth Mohan Pai, DMS MGM Healthcare.

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Pediatric extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) is a life support system for critically ill children who have life-threatening heart or lung problems. ECMO is a treatment that pumps and oxygenates blood outside a child’s body through a machine and returns oxygen-rich-blood to the body, allowing the heart and lungs to recover. 

ECMO has proven to be invaluable for neonates with meconium aspiration and congenital diaphragmatic hernia. Moreover, children with end-stage heart or lung failure can greatly benefit from ECMO support. 

Dr. Binu Ninan, Senior Consultant & HOD Paediatrics & Neonatology; Dr. Kalaimaran Sadasivam – Senior Consultant, and Clinical Lead – Pediatric Intensive Care;  Dr. Suresh Rao, Co- Director - Institute of Heart and Lung Transplant & Mechanical Circulatory Support; Dr. K R Balakrishnan, Chairman - Institute of Cardiac Sciences; Harish Manian, Group CEO

The launch of the Paediatric and Neonatal ECMO Centre at MGM Healthcare aims to cater to the critical care needs of children, providing them with intensive care during their most vulnerable moments. Our dedicated team of critical care specialists provides advanced 24/7 care for children who need ECMO. We have deep experience using the therapy.

Dr. K R Balakrishnan, Chairman - Institute of Cardiac Sciences | Director - Institute of Heart and Lung Transplant & Mechanical Circulatory Support, MGM Healthcare said, "Today marks a significant milestone in pediatric critical care as we inaugurate MGM Healthcare's centralized Pediatric and Neonatal ECMO Centre. This centralized facility symbolizes our unwavering dedication to delivering cutting-edge medical interventions, particularly ECMO, the pinnacle of life support for critically ill children. By establishing this center, we reaffirm our mission to offer these young patients the utmost opportunities for recovery and a promising, thriving future."

Dr. Suresh Rao, Co- Director - Institute of Heart and Lung Transplant & Mechanical Circulatory Support, MGM Healthcare mentioned, “At MGM Healthcare we have treated more than 400 patients using ECMO, and with this facility, we believe we will be saving more lives by moving our focus more towards treating the younger generation. Our team of doctors is trained to provide the utmost dedicated care.”

"Within MGM Healthcare, a cohesive multidisciplinary team collaborates, comprising pediatric intensivists, neonatologists, surgeons, perfusionists, respiratory therapists, and other skilled professionals. Dr. Binu Ninan, Senior Consultant, and HOD of the Department of Pediatrics and Neonatology, emphasizes the seamless integration of their extensive expertise and the advanced infrastructure at MGM Healthcare, which guarantees exceptional management and care throughout the ECMO process."

Mr. Harish Manian, Group CEO, MGM Healthcare, said, “Amidst the COVID pandemic, MGM Healthcare achieved a remarkable feat by establishing the largest ECMO Center, which has been instrumental in saving numerous lives. As we take pride in this accomplishment, we are equally delighted to inaugurate a dedicated center for pediatric care, where children will receive personalized and compassionate support. This specialized center has the capacity to accommodate up to 25 critically ill pediatric patients simultaneously.” 

"Pediatric and neonatal ECMO offer a beacon of hope for the smallest and most vulnerable children who confront life-threatening lung or heart failure. Continuously pushing the boundaries of what is achievable, Pediatric and Neonatal ECMO rekindle optimism and hold the promise of a bright future for these precious lives. The role of PICU team is crucial to achieving the best possible outcomes for pediatric and neonatal patients requiring ECMO support.," affirms Dr. Kalaimaran, Senior Consultant, and Clinical Lead of Pediatric Intensive Care.

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