Apollo Proton Cancer Centres (APCC) Unveils State-of-the-Art Paediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU)

Chennai, June 28 2023: Apollo Proton Cancer Centre, the first and only operational centre in South Asia and the Middle East to offer proton therapy, has launched the Paediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU), which further reinforces its commitment to providing the highest quality of care to its patients. The unit was inaugurated by Hon'ble Minister for Social Welfare & Women Empowerment Government of Tamil Nadu, Tmt. P. Geetha Jeevan in the presence of  Harshad Reddy, Director, Group Oncology & International Apollo Hospitals Enterprises Ltd;  Dr. Ramya Uppuluri,  Consultant, Hemato Oncology; Dr. Shruthi Kakarala, Consultant Intensivist; Dr. Srinivas Chilukuri, Senior Consultant, Radiation Oncology (Paediatric) and Dr. Arvind Sukumaran, Senior Consultant Neurosurgery.
 

The launch of the PICU represents a significant milestone for APCC, as it aims to provide comprehensive and exceptional paediatric cancer care. The Unit will be led by a dedicated team of clinicians and specialists from various fields, all of whom possess extensive knowledge and expertise in their respective areas. The PICU is equipped with state-of-the-art technologies, including a Level 3 Paediatric ICU with Multipara monitors that are designed to provide several information on one screen . It also announced commencement of in-house Paediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) training program for nurses and paramedics. The programme will benefit nurses, in-house paramedics, and those working at theneighbourhood clinics, and will prepare them to handle any paediatric emergencies.
 

Tmt P Geetha Jeevan, Hon’ble Minister for Social Welfare & Women Empowerment, Government of Tamil Nadu, praised APCC's commitment to bring advanced paediatric cancer care, and said, "It is my pleasure to be a part of the grand opening of the Paediatric Intensive Care Unit at the Apollo Proton Cancer Centre. It is another prime example of Tamil Nadu's longstanding leadership in India's medical infrastructure and healthcare delivery. With the launch of the new unit, APCC is taking an important step towards excelling in its efforts to enhance the quality of life of young cancer winners. I applaud them for their commitment in delivering the finest in proton and photon therapies, and for investing in the latest and most advanced technologies to have a complete paediatric care unit."
 

Emphasising the importance of establishing the PICU, Dr. Shruthi Kakarala, Consultant, Intensivist, Apollo Proton Cancer Centre, said, "At APCC, we take great pride in bringing cutting-edge technology, treatments and care for paediatric oncology. The PICU will have advanced life-support technology, monitoring equipment, and will be staffed 24X7 by a team of specialised healthcare professionals from different departments. This unit is a game-changer against the fight for cancer and other medical concerns in children and we are very pleased to be able to provide this to our patients. With the PICU, we can set ourselves apart from other proton establishments while offering our patients with the very best childcare support.”
 

Speaking during the inauguration Dr. Ramya Uppuluri,  Consultant Hemato Oncology, Apollo Proton Cancer Centre, said,  "PICUs play a crucial role in providing specialized care to critically ill children. The new unit is equipped with advanced medical technology and staffed by a multidisciplinary team of healthcare professionals who are specifically trained to address the unique needs of pediatric patients. In a PICU, medical professionals have access to specialized equipment and monitoring devices tailored for pediatric patients. Additionally, the presence of a multidisciplinary team comprising pediatric intensivists, nurses, respiratory therapists, and other specialists ensures comprehensive care for children with complex medical conditions."
 

Harshad Reddy, Director, Group Oncology & International Apollo Hospitals Enterprises Ltd, said, "We, at the APCC, are dedicated to offering patients the most exceptional care possible. Treating cancer in children is a very intricate and sensitive procedure and opening a dedicated intensive care facility for not just cancer care but paediatric care helps us in delivering better patient outcomes. Our goal at Apollo is to deliver the finest cancer care possible for our patients by bringing the most cutting-edge infrastructure and technologies to India and the rest of the world. We look forward to collaborating with the top paediatric speciality team and other medical experts to provide the most comprehensive paediatric care.”
 

The new PICU unit has an exquisite artwork created by students from Stella Maris College, Chennai. The students gave life to an awe-inspiring artwork under the theme ‘Heroes of Hope’ ideated by Dr. Lakshmi Priya Daniel, Head, Department of Fine Arts, Stella Maris College. The artwork was unveiled by the Minister Tmt. P. Geetha Jeevan, during the launch.

 
Dr. Lakshmi Priya Daniel, Head of the Department of Fine Arts at Stella Maris College, emphasised the relevance of artwork in the PICU unit. She said, “It’s an exciting opportunity for our students to create artwork at the Apollo Proton Cancer Centre. Art has a remarkable ability to comfort and provide much-needed positivity and hope to patients, especially in a paediatric unit. By introducing art into the paediatric unit, we can create an environment that nurtures the emotional well-being of patients, instils a sense of positivity, and enhances their overall healing process."
 

The Apollo Cancer Centre has broadened its scope by incorporating this state-of-the-art facility for paediatric intensive care for cancer treatment.