40-bed newborn care unit starts functioning at Abbottabad Children Hospital

ABBOTTABAD: A Newborn Care Unit started functioning at the Women and Children Hospital Abbottabad today, established with the support of UNICEF to provide quality care for critically ill newborns.

The unit was inaugurated by Advisor to the KP Chief Minister on Health, Ihtesham Khan, in the presence of UNICEF Chief of Field Office, Radoslaw Rzehak, and UNICEF Health Team Lead for KP, Dr. Inamullah Khan.

Speaking at the event, KP Health Advisor Ihtesham Khan emphasised the provincial government’s commitment to improving neonatal healthcare and announced plans to establish similar newborn care units in every district hospital in a phased manner, with allocations to be included in the upcoming Annual Development Programme (ADP).

Unicef Chief of Field Office, Radoslaw Rzehak, reiterated the organization’s commitment to supporting the KP government not only in health and nutrition but also in education, WASH, and child protection as part of its child rights agenda. He assured continued collaboration to strengthen essential services for children. Dr. Inamullah Khan highlighted that the new facility meets international standards and will serve newborns from Abbottabad and surrounding districts.

The ceremony was also attended by the Additional Director General Health Services, Dr. Shahid Younas, and the Additional Director General M&E, Dr. Abid Hussain. The Newborn Care Unit is expected to play a crucial role in reducing neonatal mortality in the province by providing specialized care for sick newborns, health experts said.