Government hospitals in Tamil Nadu lack critical medicines for premature babies

In very premature babies, the alveoli, the tiny air sacs in the lungs, may not be mature enough to function effectively on their own. Surfactant, a substance produced in the lungs, helps keep the alveoli open. However, in babies born very prematurely, a sufficient amount of surfactant may not be produced. Doctors may use breathing support such as CPAP or a mechanical ventilator. Surfactant is delivered directly to the lungs through an endotracheal tube, the doctor explains. | Photo credit: FILE PHOTO

Government hospitals in Tamil Nadu are facing a shortage of surfactant, a critical and life-saving drug for premature babies.

The shortage has been ongoing for the past few months and several Special Neonatal Care Units (SNCUs) in government hospitals have brought it to the attention of the Ministry of Health.

Doctors said surfactant drugs are necessary to inflate the lungs of premature babies who need therapy. They used external bovine or porcine surfactant (intratracheal) in premature infants. These surfactants were part of contracts for the purchase of specialty drugs by Tamil Nadu Medical Services Corporation (TNMSC).

Inquiries with a number of hospitals and doctors revealed that a number of centers have been struggling with surfactant shortages for the past few months. Official sources confirmed that government hospitals, including medical college hospitals in Theni, Dharmapuri, Tiruppur, Cuddalore, Tiruvannamalai, Vellore and Karur districts and in Chennai, reported a shortage of surfactant vials, while some hospitals said they had an uninterrupted supply.

A doctor, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the shortage has been prevalent for the past three to four months due to a number of factors. “First, we have not received any allocation. Second, some centers have miscalculated their requirement, which is based on the average number of premature babies, and third, there has been an over-utilization. This is a life-saving drug necessary to inflate the lungs of premature babies, which are otherwise strong,” he said.

A doctor at another hospital said that continuous supply is not ensured and shortages occur frequently. “Currently we are borrowing from other sub-centres who send babies to us. It is very difficult for us to manage neonatal units without surfactants. Sometimes we buy them privately from SNCU funds to save the babies,” said another doctor.

A senior pediatrician said that after 34 weeks of pregnancy, the fetus’s lungs are generally mature enough to support the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide after birth. “However, in very premature babies, the alveoli, which are the tiny air sacs in the lungs, may not be mature enough to function effectively on their own. Surfactant, a substance produced in the lungs, helps keep the alveoli open. But in very premature babies, not enough surfactant may be produced, making it difficult for them to maintain adequate oxygen levels in children, such as CP, or mechanical respiratory support. Surfactant is delivered directly to the lungs via an endotracheal tube to prevent hyaline membrane disease.

Lung maturity in newborns is critical because reduced oxygen could cause hypoxia and conditions such as retinopathy of prematurity and hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy, he said.

A Health Ministry source denied there was any shortage. “There has been no delay in procurement. Some centers may have miscalculated their requirement resulting in shortage or may have used more vials. In such circumstances, they have obtained the required supplies from neighboring facilities. A six-month purchase order worth nearly ₹ 9 crore has been issued. Besides, operating expenses are being provided so that paediatricians can make local purchases whenever required,” he said.

Another official said TNMSC has issued purchase orders and it will be delivered within two days. Officials said Cuddalore was facing a shortage and arrangements were made to send supplies from Coimbatore. According to them, they are closely monitoring the situation.

Published – 21 Sep 2026 22:51 IST