Paediatric Intensive Care Unit
Paediatric Intensive Care Unit of Lady Ridgeway Hospital for Children (PICU -LRH) is the first PICU in Sri Lanka which was started in 1985. PICU LRH is the center of excellence and final referral center for the pediatric intensive care in Sri Lanka. It provides intensive care services to critically ill neonates, infants, children and young people of whole country. PICU is a 24-hour service that operates 365 days a year.
PICU LRH admission rate is approximately 1000 patients per annum. PICU patient population ranges from neonates to 14 years. consists of pneumonia, Dengue, Meningitis, Encephalitis,Congenital and acquired cardiac diseases and Neonatal disorders.
Medical staff of PICU LRH consists of 2 consultant pediatric intensivists, one senior registrar in pediatric critical care, 4 senior registrars in general pediatrics and 11 medical officers. Nursing staff of PICU includes one nursing sister and 50 staff nurses. They provide one to one care for the critically ill children.
Dr. Nalin Kitulwatta
Consultant Paediatric Intensivist
Dr. Deshan Adhihetti
Consultant Paediatric Intensivist
Currently (2020) it is a 12 bedded PICU.
Currently PICU is providing level three care (As per UK standards) including critical care ultrasound, plasma paresis, continuous EEG monitoring, noninvasive ventilation, invasive ventilation, High frequency oscillatory ventilation and continuous renal replacement therapy for the extremely sick children.
ln addition to PICU work, our doctors are the team leaders of the Rapid Response Team (Medical Emergency Team) of LRH.
PICU LRH is a national level training Centre for doctors and nurses. Our post graduate trainees include Senior registrars in Paediatric Intensive care, Neonatal Intensive care, General paediatrics, Emergency Medicine and Registrars in general paediatrics.