New neonatal unit for Netcare Margate hospital

Netcare Margate Hospital has officially opened its new four-bed, state of the art neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) for premature and newborn babies who require specialised care.

Speaking at the opening of the unit, the hospital’s general manager, Rob Ferreira said: “It is very rewarding to be able to offer such a specialised service at our hospital.”

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The modern unit is equipped with two isolation cubicles and advanced technology such as ventilators and continuous positive airway pressure machines, which provide babies with the nurturing environment and developmental support they require.

The unit also has a cutting-edge Giraffe Omnibed, which serves both as an incubator and radiant warmer and even allows surgical procedures to be performed without having to move the baby from the bed to the theatre.

Nursing manager, Sarah Mckaw, said the NICU was staffed by experienced and caring paediatric nursing professionals.

“We are fortunate to have paediatrician, Dr Bhavna Jasmat, and obstetrician and gynaecologist, Dr Shavi Govender providing clinical care to the infants.”

The mother-and-baby-friendly NICU also incorporates a comfortable breastfeeding and expressing area and Kangaroo conveniences to promote skin-to-skin contact between mother (or father) and baby.

Sister Amanda Grobler, manager of the NICU and the maternity unit, said: “We believe in involving the family in all aspects of their baby’s care and focus on creating a warm, loving environment to foster bonding in the early stages of each baby’s development.”

The unit has been designed and decorated to provide a tranquil and healing environment to minimise stress on infants and to promote normal neurological development for babies, which is aided by soft lighting and low noise levels.

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