West Bengal govt prepares diet chart for Covid kids in hospital

KOLKATA: From enhancing paediatric Covid infrastructure in its hospitals to training manpower on handling Covid-infected children, the state is preparing itself before the potential third wave. It has now come out with an extensive diet chart for children admitted in its hospitals during the third wave.

Two diet charts have been prepared — for the 1-5 age group and the 6-12 group. All government-run Covid facilities have been told the chart is valid with immediate effect. The menu is almost the same for both, with the only difference being the quantity and the addition of curd for the 5-plus category.

“A nutritional diet is important for children, more so when they are ill. It is a laudable effort by the government,”said senior paediatrician Apurba Ghosh, director, Institute of Child Health.

“Adequate nutrition and fluid intake are an important part of management of children suffering from Covid. This is a very good step. The calorie value and protein content of the meal will ensure all-round nutrition,” said assistant professor of paediatrics at Medical College Hospital Kolkata Dibyendu Raychaudhuri, who is also the paediatric dialysis unit in-charge.

“We have prepared 25 PICU and five NICU. This protein-rich diet will help,” said paediatrician Raj Shekhar Maity, nodal person for Covid care at Diamond Harbour Medical College.

For children above 12, the diet for adult Covid patients — which the health department had notified in September 2020 — will be served. Caretakers of children in general Covid wards will get food non-Covid patients get.