Spike in Paediatric Pneumonia Cases Strains Pune’s Sassoon Hospital Amid ICU Shortage in Municipal Facilities
With pneumonia admissions doubling among children, Sassoon Hospital is overwhelmed as PMC hospitals lack functional paediatric ICUs to meet rising demand.
Pune, October 09, 2025: Pune is witnessing a worrying surge in pneumonia cases among children, straining the city’s healthcare system and exposing critical shortages in paediatric intensive care facilities. Doctors across several hospitals have reported a sharp increase in respiratory infections among children under ten, primarily due to fluctuating weather and post-monsoon viral spread. Sassoon General Hospital has been facing a particularly high patient load, with many cases being referred from civic-run hospitals that lack adequate ICU beds.
According to hospital officials, the paediatric ward at Sassoon has been operating beyond capacity for the past two weeks. With limited ventilators and ICU beds, doctors are struggling to manage the rising number of severe cases requiring oxygen support. Medical experts have attributed the spike to respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), influenza, and bacterial pneumonia, which tend to spread rapidly during seasonal transitions.
Parents have reported long waiting times and difficulties in finding ICU availability for children suffering from high fever, breathing distress, and chest infections. Doctors have urged parents not to ignore early symptoms such as persistent cough, wheezing, or fatigue, warning that delays in treatment can lead to complications.
Health authorities are coordinating with municipal hospitals to expand paediatric ICU capacity and have initiated awareness drives urging preventive care measures, including maintaining hygiene and avoiding exposure to infected individuals. Officials are also assessing the need for emergency arrangements to accommodate the growing number of cases in government and private hospitals.
Public health experts emphasize that the rise in pneumonia cases highlights the need for stronger surveillance systems, better infrastructure, and long-term investment in paediatric healthcare in urban areas like Pune.
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