Amid the warning of health experts for a possible third wave of Covid-19 in Maharashtra and city in the next few months, the state health department has expanded its paediatric task force by including neonatologists and paediatricians having rural experience and worked amid the ongoing pandemic.
The earlier task force had nine members and all of them were Mumbai based. It is said that in the second wave, many newborns have been affected by Covid-19. Taskforce members believe including a neonatologist will empower the task force to get a better perspective while drafting guidelines etc.
State health officials said there have been no cases reported across Maharashtra where paediatrics contracted the SARS-CoV-2 virus. But many doctors or experts believe paediatrics might get the infected following which includes paediatricians and neonatologists in the task force which will help them to control the virus in the third wave.
“We are preparing for the worst, following which all necessary measures and precautions are being taken and a task force has been formed. Earlier after the first wave cases had started to drop due to which we thought cases won’t increase further, but from mid-February the second wave started and the younger population were affected. But now that we know the third wave will start, we are preparing accordingly and extra measures are being taken to control the spread of cases amongst paediatrics,” the health officials said.
The state paediatric task force was formed to guide the state government on protecting the children from Covid-19 infection, treatment to avoid transmission and develop treatment protocols.
Dr Akash Bang, Nagpur-based paediatrician and member of the state paediatric task force said there is a need of creating awareness amongst the rural areas which is the biggest challenge. Following they are planning to give training to healthcare professionals and Anganwadi people and ensuring the availability of certain medical equipment for paediatric patients which help them to fight during the third wave.
“Virus is not targeting specific age groups amid ongoing pandemic; everyone is equally impacted except the senior citizens who have comorbidities. For now, we need to focus on identifying children having moderate symptoms and it can be only done by creating awareness and manpower in rural areas,” he said.
