-Reshma Ravishanker
As Karnataka is all set to prepare for the anticipated third wave of Covid-19, which is said to affect children the most, pediatric Covid wards will be set up in all government hospitals.
In a statement released by the department of health and family welfare, government of Karnataka, Dr K Sudhakar, minister for health and family welfare and medical education, said that this is to ensure preparedness for a possible third wave.
On Tuesday, Dr Sudhakar chaired a meeting with senior officials of Health and Family Welfare and Medical Departments to review the prevailing Covid-19 situation in the state and containment measures.
He also said that oxygen generation plants will be set up in all Taluk Hospital and district hospital in the state.
“A dedicated 70-80 bed pediatrics ward will be arranged in all district hospitals. Additional pediatricians and nursing staff will also be recruited wherever it is necessary. A special training session will be conducted through Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences to train MBBS and other technical staff,” said the Minister.
Besides this, seven genomic labs will be established across Karnataka to study the mutated strains found in second wave. These labs will come up at five medical colleges including the Wenlock Hospital, Mangaluru and Vijayapura District Hospital. This study will help us to understand the virus better and for development of better medicine and treatment protocol based on the nature of virus.
Among the other important announcements made by the minister, up to 19 years of age, children should be treated in consultation with pediatricians.
As the state government is preparing for a possible third wave, he said that there was no question of hiding numbers.
“We cannot say that third wave has started. Second wave is yet to subdue. We must take care of our children to protect them from virus.
Vaccination centres should not deny vaccine once the slot is confirmed. Action will be initiated against those centres which deny vaccine even after slot confirmation,” Dr Sudhakar added.