Bhubaneswar: With experts warning of a third wave of COVID-19, the Odisha Government has directed the district collectors and chief district medical officers (CDMOs) to take pre-emptive steps to safeguard the health of children.
In a letter on Tuesday, Additional Chief Secretary, Health Pradipta Mohapatra, has directed the district collectors and CDMOs to set up a special Paediatric ward in each COVID hospital.
Apart from this, Mohapatra told them to make provisions for 10 isolation beds in all district headquarters and sub-divisional hospitals and 155 beds, including 64 newborn intensive care units (NICUs), in the seven state-run medical colleges and hospitals.
He also asked them to ensure that the COVID Care Centres (CCCs) with ICU facility must have 15% beds for children. “These health care facilities must have adequate stock of medicines and oxygen cylinders,” he added.
Besides, Mohapatra also directed the superintendent of Sishu Bhawan (Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Post Graduate Institute of Paediatrics), Cuttack, to set up a special COVID block.
However, it may be mentioned here that there is no evidence that the third wave would affect children. Dr VK Paul, one of the key members of the PM Narendra Modi’s COVID management team, has said there’s no evidence to prove that children will be affected in the Covid third wave. He said adults should take jabs to shield children.
