Programmes and Strategies

This is one of its kind in India wherein prospective pediatricians from any part of the country can be trained and later effectively utilise the training to start newborn intensive care units in the country. This was a unique programme started in 1993 and currently 65 well-trained newborn specialists have started their own centers in their respective states. It is envisioned that the training will be imparted on a state wise basis so that by 2020 each major district of every state will have at least 5 well-trained neonatal specialists who will start their own newborn ICU. This programme will eventually improve considerably the care of a sick newborn in each district of the state an ultimately overall survival of a sick newborn in India.

Details of the Programme
Amrita Institute of Medical Sciences and Medical College will be offering on hands training in conventional ventilation, high frequency ventilation, nitric oxide therapy and respiratory mechanics monitoring in ventilated babies. This will be a 3 months structured programme and trainees will be able to handle up to 80% problems of ventilated newborns by appropriate strategies. The NICU is 18 bedded with 8 ventilators, including high frequency ventilators, nitric oxide delivery systems and spirometry. A certificate will be issued at the end of the training subject to performance appraisal.

Fellowship in Neonatology (University Certificate Course)
Two years post D.C.H and one year post M.D

For training fee and other details please contact
Amrita Institute of Medical Science and Research Centre (Medical Directors Office) Tel : 0484 - 2801234, Extn. : 4579, Fax : 0484 -2339080 Email : pkrajiv@aims.amrita.edu

INTERNATIONAL LINKS

Instructor for Sending Prospective Newborn specialists to Australia for training in Sydney University:

Dr. Rajiv has been recognized as a clinical instructor in ventilatory training overseas since 1996. A team of experts had visited his departments and had gained recognition of maintaining international standards of newborn care. Hence, doctors trained under him are able to go for fellowship programmes in neonatology under Sydney University Australia.

Invitation By The University of Malaysia To Become Faculty Member:
The contribution and expertise of Dr. Rajiv in high frequency ventilation and nitric oxide therapy prompted the university of Malaysia to offer him a post in the teaching faculty.

Professional Activity At The National Level:
Dr. Rajiv had the distinct advantage of working in Delhi, Bombay, Baroda, Madras, Coimbatore, Calicut, Mangalore and Bangalore. This wide spread experience and professional rapport with colleagues has placed him at the center point of various programmes linked with the health delivery systems of the country.

National Neonatology Forum:
This is an active body of about 3000 newborn specialists with its secretariat in Delhi. Dr. Rajiv was actively involved with all activities of this specialty body, which gives guidelines to the health ministry and WHO. Dr. Rajiv was the first to propose a panel for ventilation. Ventilation was introduced initially in the late 1980's but became technologically perfect in the 1990's. He was always invited to be a speaker or chairperson on some critical aspect of newborn care at the annual neonatology conference. His wide spread experience with the use of all types of ventilators has placed him as one of the most experienced ventilatory specialists in the country. Infact, the last two departments he created and the one currently being headed are rated as one of the best in the country.

Indian Academy of Pediatrics:
Dr. Rajiv has contributed largely in the academic arena by his articles in the Indian journal of practical pediatrics, journal of the national neonatology forum and is known all over the country for his tireless crusade to impart ventilatory training to prospective pediatricians in a systematic fashion, so that all states in India have well trained newborn specialists who run their own advanced neonatal centers.