MCH super specialty block begins surgeries at Guntur GGH

Vijayawada: Doctors have begun conducting complex surgeries and advanced medical procedures for women, pregnant mothers, newborns, and children at the newly inaugurated Mother and Child Superspeciality (MCH) Block at Guntur Govt General Hospital (GGH).The 600-bed Dr Kanuri–Gymkhana MCH block, built at a cost of ₹127 crore under a public-private partnership model, is equipped with facilities on par with private hospitals. Of the total cost, Gymkhana contributed ₹100 crore towards construction, while the state government spent ₹27 crore on medical equipment.Seven advanced operation theatres for gynecology and maternity care became operational on Thursday, with two surgeries performed on the first day. Three additional operation theatres have been set up for paediatric and neonatal surgeries.The facility, inaugurated recently by chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu, has now commenced services following completion of technical trials and equipment testing.The hospital has introduced advanced neonatal care systems rarely seen in government hospitals. These include four total body cooling machines to prevent brain damage in newborns and 10 high-frequency ventilators to treat infants with severe respiratory distress.GGH superintendent Dr SSV Ramana said the facility is designed to provide high-end treatment free of cost to economically weaker sections. He noted that procedures costing thousands or even lakhs in private hospitals are being offered free.The five-storey block houses 300 beds for gynecology, 120 for newborns, and 180 for children below 12 years. It is expected to serve as a referral centre for complicated maternal and paediatric cases.In addition, a ₹18 crore PET scan facility has been set up for free cancer treatment services.Gynecology HoD Dr Aruna Vemu said the block includes high-risk pregnancy wards, an obstetric ICU, and a Special Newborn Care Unit (SNCU) located next to delivery theatres for quicker emergency response.Officials said IVF services may be introduced in future.