Pune, 4th September 2026: The Pune Municipal Corporation will expand NICU capacity at three civic hospitals by purchasing 10 new ventilators and 10 CPAP machines. The Standing Committee has approved an expenditure of ₹3.98 crore for the equipment. The proposal was submitted by Municipal Commissioner Naval Kishore Ram.
Kamala Nehru Hospital, Rajiv Gandhi Hospital and Chandamama Sonawane Maternity Home currently face a shortage of ventilators required for treating critically ill newborns.
In several cases, babies in serious condition had to be shifted to Sassoon Hospital at short notice. The civic administration said strengthening facilities at municipal hospitals would reduce the need for such transfers and help families avoid the high cost of treatment at private hospitals.
The medical superintendent of Kamala Nehru Hospital had sought the equipment on an urgent basis. Since the regular tender process could take around a month, the civic body has decided to purchase the machines directly under Section 67(3)(c) of the Maharashtra Municipal Corporations Act.
The ₹3.98 crore expenditure will be met from the ₹10 crore budget provision for medical equipment and machinery.
The new equipment is expected to improve the ability of civic hospitals to provide timely intensive care to newborns, particularly those requiring respiratory support.