Dr. Anil Pillai is a Consultant Neonatologist who has been instrumental in establishing First Level III Neonatal ICU in Abu Dhabi private sector based in Al Ain that manages neonates of all sizes and gestations (23 weeks onwards). This unit is capable of caring for babies with various conditions including Severe surfactant deficiency lung disease, Hypoxic Ischemic Encaphalopathy (Using total body cooling technique) and Pulmonary hypertension using Nitric Oxide therapy.
After completing his basic medical education in India (Medical College, Trivandrum, University of Kerala), he moved to the UK for his postgraduate training in 1995. He completed his MRCPCH followed by Post Graduate Diploma in Child health at the University of Leeds. After completing his Specialist training in Paediatrics, he moved on to do the National Grid Subspecialty training in Neonatology leading on to the award of CCT in Neonatology and Paediatrics in 2006.
He has worked in various hospitals across the regions in the UK during his training. Most of his Neonatal training was in the Yorkshire deanery in tertiary teaching hospitals like Leeds General Infirmary, Bradford teaching Hospitals and St. James University Hospital. Prior to Joining NMC, he was working in Bradford Teaching Hospital as a Consultant Neonatologist.
His clinical interest are primarily in Neonatal ventilation. In the purpose built Level 3 NICU in Alain, he has established a culture of minimally invasive ventilation where babies as small as 600 grams born at 26 weeks gestation (14 weeks early) are treated with non-invasive ventilatory techniques that protect the lung and brain from long term damage.
His other area of interest is Neonatal Cardiology. He is trained in doing anatomic and functional echocardiography in neonates. This enables the NICU to care for extremely sick babies with Persistent Pulmonary hypertension of newborn, and early identification and management of critical congenital heart diseases.
He believes in family oriented care and has introduced joint ward rounds involving families in decision making for their babies. He has also established a baby friendly approach with minimal handling technique using developmental care principles (Kangaroo care / Skin to Skin care) to achieve this.
He has a great passion for teaching and training. He has been an Advance life support trainer (NLS, APLS) and has also been a trainer for the trainers course (Generic Instructor course). He firmly believes in providing training for the nursing staff thus enabling best quality of care for the babies improving both short and long term outcomes. He has been an invited speaker in many local meetings and those in the UK.
Dr. Anil continues to keep his academic interests active by way of corroborative research & publications. He is an active participant of key National and international neonatal meetings and conferences.
Dr. Anil is well versed in English, Hindi and Malayalam.
