In order to control the spread of COVID-19 among children, BrihanMumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has directed the ward and medical health officers to carry out door-to-door health check-ups on children below 18 years of age.
They have also been instructed to alert everyone about the third wave that is likely to affect children. The officials have been asked to inform families to follow the guidelines stated by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) on the steps to be taken to prevent children from contracting the virus.
Civic officials said that they are taking all the necessary measures to curb cases in the third wave. During its My Family, My Responsibility survey, they collected data from citizens, which would help them reach out to each family member and make them understand the guidelines that need to be taken at home.
Additional Municipal Commissioner Suresh Kakani said there are many speculations and the possibility of a third wave. Considering all this, we have decided to take necessary precautions to ensure that children are not affected badly and get timely aid if needed.
“Last week, we held a meeting with civic-run hospital deans, doctors, pediatricians and health experts to decide on the treatment protocol for children if they contracted the virus. Following this, we decided to create awareness about the impact of COVID-19 on children at the ground level. All the ward and medical health officers have been directed to conduct door-to-door health check-ups,” he said.
Moreover, BMC has decided to provide training to general physicians in each ward on what measures need to be taken in the third wave. “We have kept all the agencies on their toes, ensuring that there are no loopholes. After the first wave, everyone believed that COVID-19 was losing its strain. But the second wave proved us wrong and people of all age groups were affected. Keeping this in mind, we do not want to take any chance in the third wave,” Kakani said.
Meanwhile, health experts said that the civic body has taken a good step, as the lockdown has impacted the physical activities of children. “With the door-to-door survey, we will come to know about the various diseases that have affected children, for which treatment can be started with immediate effect. Moreover, if children are diagnosed with some chronic disease, they will be given immediate treatment at nearby hospitals,” said Dr Ramesh Bharmal, dean, BYL Nair Hospital.
