Team Goemkarponn
PANAJI: Victor Hospital inaugurated South Goa’s dedicated Paediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU), strengthening access to advanced critical care services for children across the region.
The facility was inaugurated in the presence of Chief Guest Digambar Kamat, Minister for Public Works, Captain of Ports & Legal Metrology and MLA of Margao Constituency, along with Guest of Honour Vijai Sardesai.
Addressing the gathering, Kamat lauded the vision of late Victor Albuquerque and said Victor Hospital had consistently expanded specialised healthcare services in Goa over the years. He described the launch of the PICU as another landmark achievement that would greatly benefit children and families in South Goa.
Sardesai said the addition of a dedicated paediatric intensive care facility was a proud moment for the hospital and the Albuquerque family, adding that Victor Hospital had earned the trust of Goans through its healthcare services and continued commitment towards patient care.
The newly launched PICU is designed to provide specialised intensive care for infants, children and adolescents requiring continuous monitoring, respiratory support and emergency intervention. Unlike adult ICUs, PICUs are tailored specifically to paediatric physiology, medication requirements and the emotional care needs of children and their families.
The unit is equipped with advanced paediatric critical care infrastructure including ventilators, High-Flow Nasal Cannula (HFNC), CPAP/BiPAP respiratory support systems, multiparameter monitors, infusion and syringe pumps, paediatric crash carts, central oxygen and suction systems, portable imaging support and trained paediatric intensive care staff.
The facility will cater to children between one month and 16 years of age and manage a range of critical conditions including severe respiratory distress, shock, seizures, poisoning, trauma, neurological emergencies, metabolic disorders, post-operative stabilisation and tropical illnesses.
Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Surabhi Baxla, Consultant Paediatrician and Neonatologist at Victor Hospital, highlighted the urgent need for accessible paediatric critical care services in South Goa. With more than eight years of experience in paediatrics and PICU management, Dr. Baxla has managed several complex cases including septic shock, dengue shock syndrome, status epilepticus, diabetic ketoacidosis, poisoning and severe pneumonia requiring ventilator support.
Hospital officials said the establishment of the PICU would significantly reduce the need to shift critically ill children to distant tertiary care centres, ensuring faster treatment, timely intervention and improved survival outcomes for paediatric patients in South Goa and neighbouring areas.
Also present at the event were Mrs. Sylvia Albuquerque, Chairperson and Managing Director of Alcon Victor Group, Mr. Varun Albuquerque, Director of Alcon Victor Group, and Dr. Ajay Gangoli, COO and Medical Superintendent of Victor Hospital.
