Newborn Life on Wheels: Manipal Hospital Bhubaneshwar doctors bring 700-gram baby safely to life with Special NICU Ambulance

Bhubaneswar(15/10/2025): In a heart-touching display of medical precision, compassion, and courage, the neonatal team at Manipal Hospital Bhubaneswar gave a premature 700-gram baby a second chance at life — all beginning inside a specially equipped ambulance that became a mobile lifeline. Born at just 6 months of pregnancy in a facility nearly 40 km away, the baby girl arrived silently into the world — too fragile to cry, breathe, or even maintain his own body temperature.

With limited neonatal infrastructure at the birth location, the parents, overwhelmed and desperate, reached out to Manipal Hospital after hearing about its advanced NICU services through a family friend who is also a doctor. Responding with urgency, Dr.Janakiballav Pradhan, Senior Consultant – Paediatrics and Head of Neonatology, personally coordinated with the hospital’s team and took charge of the situation. “These babies are extremely fragile.

Without a warming incubator and ventilatory support, the chances of survival drop drastically.

We immediately prepared our neonatal ambulance — equipped with a transport incubator, ventilator, and monitoring systems — and rushed to stabilize him,” said Dr.Pradhan. Together with Dr.Abhilipsa Acharya, Consultant – Neonatology & Paediatrics, and a dedicated NICU nurse team, the doctors administered critical medication at the referring hospital itself — including drugs to support heart function, maintain blood pressure, and a life-saving liquid surfactant to help open the immature lungs. Inside the neonatal ambulance, the team continued advanced care — warming the baby in the transport incubator, ensuring stable breathing with a ventilator, and closely monitoring every heartbeat, oxygen level, and vital sign during the 40 km journey. “The ambulance isn’t just a vehicle — it’s a mini-NICU on wheels,” explained Dr.Acharya.

“Every second counted.

What we call the ‘Golden Minute’ response played out during that transport.” Upon arrival at Manipal Hospital’s NICU, the baby was further stabilized and cared for over the next 90 days.

From fragile beginnings, she gained strength every day and was finally discharged — smiling and weighing a healthy 1.9 kg — into the arms of his grateful parents. The journey was emotionally intense for the family, who had gone through a sudden turn in pregnancy due to a urine infection and dropping amniotic fluid levels.

Though they were satisfied with their initial care, the baby’s condition required advanced intervention — and hope arrived in the form of a call to Manipal Hospital. This remarkable case showcases the power of swift neonatal response, coordinated teamwork, and medical infrastructure.

However, more than that, it tells a story of hope, resilience, and life — all beginning with a NICU team that quite literally went the extra mile.