Chennai, 25 November 2025: Dr. Mehta’s Hospitals hosted Early Birds 2025, a World Prematurity Day musical fundraiser organised by the Department of Neonatology at Vani Mahal, T. Nagar. The event aimed to raise awareness on preterm birth and mobilise financial support for underprivileged families requiring advanced neonatal intensive care.

India continues to face a significant burden of prematurity. Although the neonatal mortality rate has declined from 26 per 1,000 live births in 2014 to 19 per 1,000 in 2021, premature birth remains a major contributor to newborn deaths, accounting for 44% of neonatal mortality. Complications of prematurity are the leading cause of death among children under the age of five. Many of these outcomes can be averted with timely and cost-effective interventions.

Aligned with the global theme, “Giving every baby a strong start for a hopeful future,” the event reinforced Dr. Mehta’s Hospitals’ commitment to improving outcomes for high-risk newborns. The musical performance by Timbre Tones ft. Mani & Band brought together families, previous NICU graduates, clinicians, donors, and corporate partners in support of this shared cause.

Supporting Access to Critical NICU Care

Premature infants, especially those born as early as 25 weeks or weighing as little as 500g, often require up to 100 days of NICU care. Treatment expenses typically range between Rs. 5–15 lakhs, placing considerable financial strain on economically disadvantaged families.

The fundraiser specifically focused on strengthening access to life-saving NICU support for underprivileged women and families. To ensure continuity of care, Dr. Mehta’s Hospitals has instituted a dedicated corpus fund through the Dr. Mehta’s Medical Trust. This fund is supported by hospital contributions, sponsorships, donor passes, and philanthropic donations.

Each year, the corpus enables 7–8 premature babies to complete their NICU treatment at Dr. Mehta’s Hospitals. The initiative is further supported by the “By the Newborn, For the Newborn” group, comprising NICU graduates and families guided by neonatology pioneer Dr. R. Shanmugasundaram. This year’s fundraiser generated around Rs. 15 lakhs, contributing directly to sustained financial assistance for vulnerable families.

Expanding Engagement and Reach

Early Birds 2025 was also livestreamed on Dr. Mehta’s Hospitals’ YouTube channel, enabling wider participation and continued support beyond the physical event.

All donations made to the Dr. Mehta’s Medical Trust qualify for 80G tax exemption, ensuring transparent and compliant charitable contributions. Dr. Mehta’s Hospitals raises funds round the clock to support newborns and children needing critical care. If you’d like to contribute or partner with us, please contact us.