New NICU and PICU facilities, comprehensive child screening initiative and strengthened maternity care mark a major step towards integrated maternal and child healthcare in Kashmir
Srinagar, November 14: Reinforcing its commitment to healthier beginnings and a stronger future for children, PARAS Health Srinagar on Saturday unveiled its Holistic Paediatric Services on the occasion of Children’s Day, marking a significant expansion of specialised newborn and child healthcare in Kashmir. The launch includes dedicated Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) and Paediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) facilities, alongside a strategic collaboration with Bengaluru-based SKIDS Health to strengthen comprehensive screening and early identification of health and developmental concerns among children.
The initiative represents an important step towards building an integrated maternal and child healthcare ecosystem, bringing together specialised medical expertise, advanced critical care, preventive screening and family-centred support under one roof.
As part of the launch, PARAS Health Srinagar also signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with SKIDS Health, a Bengaluru-based healthcare organisation founded by physician-scientist and paediatrician Dr Satish Prasad Rath. The collaboration aims to introduce comprehensive screening of children across multiple health and developmental domains, strengthening early identification, timely assessment and appropriate clinical intervention.
The partnership seeks to promote a more holistic approach to childhood healthcare, recognising that a child’s well-being extends beyond the treatment of illness to include early screening, developmental assessment, preventive care and timely medical support.
Deputy Commissioner Srinagar, Dr Akshay Labroo, IAS, who attended the launch, congratulated the PARAS Health Srinagar team on the introduction of its Holistic Paediatric Services and appreciated the institution’s efforts towards strengthening specialised healthcare infrastructure in the region.
Emphasising the importance of public-private collaboration, he said government and private healthcare institutions must work in close coordination to improve access to quality, affordable and specialised medical services for the common masses. He observed that meaningful partnerships, shared resources and collective commitment could play a transformative role in addressing healthcare challenges and building a stronger, more accessible healthcare ecosystem in Jammu and Kashmir.
Speaking on the occasion, Dr Satish Prasad Rath, physician-scientist, paediatrician and Founder and Director of SKIDS Health, said the collaboration would help strengthen the culture of early screening and comprehensive child healthcare.
“Childhood is a critical phase of human development, and many health and developmental concerns can be addressed more effectively when identified early. Our collaboration with PARAS Health Srinagar is aimed at advancing a comprehensive approach to child screening, bringing greater attention to early identification, systematic assessment and timely intervention. We believe that every child deserves an opportunity to achieve their fullest potential, and partnerships such as this can help make specialised knowledge and structured screening more accessible to families. The focus must be on looking at the child as a whole, rather than addressing health concerns in isolation,” he said.
Dr Sajad Ahmad Bhat, Consultant Neonatologist and NICU In-charge at PARAS Health Srinagar, said the availability of specialised neonatal and paediatric critical care services would strengthen the hospital’s capacity to manage vulnerable newborns and critically ill children.
“Every child deserves the best possible start in life. The first few hours and days after birth can be particularly critical, especially for premature babies, low-birth-weight infants and newborns with medical complications. Our NICU is designed to provide specialised monitoring and advanced medical support to such babies. With dedicated PICU services, we are also strengthening our ability to care for critically ill children who require intensive treatment and continuous monitoring. Our focus is on delivering coordinated, compassionate and evidence-based care while supporting families through some of their most challenging moments,” he said.
Dr Murtuza Habib, Facility Director, PARAS Health Srinagar, said the launch reflected the hospital’s commitment to expanding access to specialised healthcare and responding to the evolving medical needs of families in Kashmir.
“Children’s Day reminds us that investing in children’s health is an investment in the future of society. Through the launch of holistic paediatric services, we are taking another important step towards making specialised healthcare accessible to families in Kashmir. Our objective is to bring together experienced specialists, advanced clinical facilities and compassionate care so that children receive the right medical attention at the right time. The collaboration with SKIDS further strengthens this vision by placing emphasis on early screening and a comprehensive approach to child health. We also remain committed to strengthening maternal healthcare and ensuring a seamless continuum of care from pregnancy to childhood,” he said.
Seema Vig, Senior Vice President and Regional Director, PARAS Health, said strengthening maternal and child healthcare remained an important priority in the organisation’s larger healthcare vision.
“At PARAS Health, we believe that quality healthcare must begin with a strong foundation. Ensuring safe motherhood, healthy newborns and access to specialised paediatric services are essential components of that foundation. Our continued efforts are directed towards building a healthcare environment where families can access clinical expertise, advanced technology and compassionate support at every stage of life. The launch of these services in Srinagar reflects our commitment to making quality healthcare more accessible, comprehensive and patient-centric,” she said.
Reinforcing the hospital’s focus on safe motherhood, Dr Sadia, Senior Consultant, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, said normal delivery remained a preferred option in uncomplicated pregnancies, wherever medically appropriate.
“Every pregnancy is unique, and the mode of delivery must always be determined by the mother’s health and the baby’s well-being. Wherever medically appropriate, normal delivery can offer several benefits, including a generally shorter recovery period and reduced surgical intervention. Our priority is to counsel expectant mothers, address their concerns and provide personalised medical support throughout pregnancy and childbirth,” she said.
Dr Najma Saqib, Consultant, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, PARAS Health Srinagar, emphasised the importance of balancing the promotion of normal deliveries with specialised management of high-risk pregnancies.
“While normal delivery can be beneficial in uncomplicated pregnancies, maternal and foetal safety must always guide clinical decisions. High-risk pregnancies require careful assessment, regular monitoring and timely intervention. Our approach is centred on individualised care, ensuring that every expectant mother receives the appropriate medical attention according to her specific needs,” she said.
The hospital has also introduced specially designed maternity packages aimed at making quality maternity care more accessible while encouraging informed birthing choices. With obstetricians, neonatologists and critical care specialists working in coordination, the hospital seeks to strengthen the continuum of care from antenatal assessment and safe delivery to specialised newborn and paediatric treatment.
The launch of Holistic Paediatric Services, coupled with the collaboration with SKIDS Health, marks another milestone in PARAS Health Srinagar’s efforts to expand specialised healthcare in the region. By bringing together critical care, preventive screening, early intervention and maternal healthcare, the institution aims to create a more comprehensive healthcare pathway for mothers, newborns and children across Kashmir.
