Government hospitals across Tamil Nadu are reporting a critical shortage of medicines required for the care of pre‑term babies, health officials confirmed on Tuesday.
The deficit affects drugs such as surfactant, caffeine citrate and essential antibiotics that are vital for newborns born before 37 weeks. Physicians in Chennai, Coimbatore and Madurai have raised alarms that the scarcity is forcing them to delay treatment or seek alternative supplies from private pharmacies.
State Health Minister K. K. Shailaja said the department is reviewing stock levels and has issued an urgent directive to the Medical Services Corporation to expedite procurement. “We are coordinating with central agencies to ensure uninterrupted supply,” she stated in a press briefing.
Neonatologists at the Government Medical College Hospital in Chennai reported that the shortage began to surface in early March, coinciding with a rise in pre‑term births during the monsoon season. Dr. R. Venkatesh, head of the neonatal unit, noted that the lack of surfactant puts vulnerable infants at risk of respiratory distress syndrome, while insufficient caffeine citrate hampers the management of apnea.
To mitigate the impact, hospitals are reallocating existing stocks and prioritising the most critical cases. The Health Department has also opened a fast‑track channel for hospitals to request emergency supplies directly from the state warehouse.
Authorities assure the public that steps are being taken to restore normal inventory levels within the coming weeks. Meanwhile, families with pre‑term infants are urged to stay in contact with their treating doctors for updates on medication availability.
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📰 Source: The Hindu National