The Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC) has decided to train doctors and nurses for the treatment of children who will test positive for COVID-19, as National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) last month pointed out a possibility of risk to the children during the onset of a third COVID-19 pandemic wave.
Senior pediatricians from the city have agreed to conduct the training of doctors and nurses attached to NMMC on behalf of the All India Pediatric Association, Navi Mumbai unit.
Despite the decline in the number of COVID cases since a fortnight, the NMMC is vigilant in implementing COVID preventive measures. The third wave of covid is expected between August and September, according to health experts, and the NMMC has started planning for it. Since the possible third wave of COVID may be dangerous for young children, the civic body has been emphasizing to ensure necessary medical infrastructures.
In this regard, civic chief Abhijeet Bangar convened a special meeting early this week to give a practical impetus to the planning. He discussed the preparation with members of the Pediatrician COVID Task Force, Government of Maharashtra, and eminent Pediatrician from Navi Mumbai, Dr. Vijay Yeolale and Unit President of All India Pediatricians Association, Navi Mumbai.
During the meeting Dr. Vijay Yeole discussed the number of beds required for the third wave, taking in account the population of Navi Mumbai, the manpower required for it and the type of medicine to be made available. He suggested that while creating facilities for children, three factors should be considered, namely- covid, non-covid, and neonatal infants. He also stressed that certain types of tests which need to be arranged for children. “The total beds should include 50 percent oxygen beds and 15 percent infant ICU beds and ventilators,” said a senior official from the civic health department.
Meanwhile, Bangar directed the health department to make SOPs for caretakers to be accompanied with children as parents would not be allowed with their children. “Considering the need for such trained doctors and nurses for the treatment of children with COVID, the pediatricians present during the meeting agreed to conduct the training of doctors and nurses on behalf of the All India Pediatric Association, Navi Mumbai unit,” the official said.
