Bhubaneswar: In view of the possible third wave of Covid-19, the Odisha government plans to give timely treatment to symptomatic children without waiting for their test reports.
Director of Medical Education and Training CBK Mohanty said, “All the symptomatic children will be tested for Covid-19 as per the ICMR norms. We have now planned that if a child with Covid-19 symptoms comes for treatment, we would start treatment as soon as possible before testing. We would be confirming the test reports later. We will not delay the treatment.”
The state health department Friday told the media that the government could open new dedicated ‘children only Covid hospitals’ if any such demand arises in the future.
“If needed we can set up standalone Covid hospitals for children in Cuttack and Bhubaneswar. These could be set up in other big cities as well,” Mohanty said.
Mohanty also said that district task forces could make special attempts to streamline the works related to the care of children and preparedness of health institutions.
“The formation of district task force will strengthen the efforts of the state government to monitor the works undertaken to safeguard the health of children in view of the possible threat from the third wave of the pandemic,” the official said.
Mohanty said all Collectors and CDMOs would soon start working in the task force. “There will be 610 ICU beds across the state. Medicines for children and adults are almost the same and the procurement is on. We are prepared for the third wave,” he said.
PNN