Covid-19: In third wave preparation, Telangana govt ramps up health infra for children

Hyderabad: With reports emerging of a possible Covid-19 third wave impacting children, health officials have started preparation to tackle the surge by increasing bed capacity and oxygen supply as they estimate 10,000 young people may need active treatment. All district hospitals will have separate paediatric wards.

The officials have reportedly prepared a 15-point agenda on the possible third wave scenario. According to estimates, there are 40 lakh children below five years of age in the state. Under the pulse polio programme, 36 lakh children were covered recently. There are another 90 lakh children below 14 years. For paediatric care, children up to 14 years would be considered.

Though there is no clear estimate on how many children might be impacted, government sources said it would be better to prepare facilities to handle 0.02% of the paediatric population. The sources said they don’t have any model, but expect that if third wave happens and hits children, then 10,000 young ones might need active treatment and among them 5,000 oxygen-based treatment.

The state government has also constituted an expert committee, with doctors drawn from Niloufer Hospital and Gandhi Hospital, to suggest and prepare for the treatment of the paediatric population.

Increasing bed and oxygen supply capacity would be the main focus for the third wave. Children’s hospital Niloufer has 1,000 beds now, in addition, another 1,500 beds would be created.

There is also a proposal to use paediatric beds available in neighbouring MNJ Cancer Hospital. In addition to these facilities, district hospitals would have paediatric wards with oxygen beds. There is also a proposal to run an integrated call centre for parents in the state apart from the existing one.

When contacted, director of medical education (DME) Dr K Ramesh Reddy said: “The government is focusing on improving paediatric care in the state. There is no need to panic. Limited percentage of the infected children may need hospitalisation.”