Bhubaneswar: As Odisha is gearing up to protect children from a possible third wave of COVID-19, the Odisha Health department has directed the CDMOs to create designated paediatric wings at all existing COVID hospitals.
Additional Chief Secretary (Health), PK Mohapatra has asked all DHHS, SDHs to earmark 10 beds for isolation of suspected paediatric COVID case.
As per the health dept letter, in view of the reports of incidence of COVID-19 cases amongst children during the current pandemics and possibility of future increases as predicted by public health experts, the state government has approved the recommendation of the Technical Committee headed by DMET, Odisha for Paediatric Care in case there is a 3rd wave to take care of the Paediatric Population.
Following are the recommendation:-
Creation of a designated wing for pediatric cases in the existing COVID Hospitals for better & safe management of cases as strict isolation of COVID-19 positive Pediatric cases may not be possible in general wards: thus may lead to increased transmission of Infection to non-infected children, One attendant may be allowed for the patients on consideration by case to case basis.
All DHHs & SDHs are required to earmark at least 10 beds for isolation of the suspected cases and will take steps for transfer of the symptomatic patients to the appropriate COVID Care Facilities. At the level of CHC, 2 to 4 beds may be earmarked as isolation bed for management of suspected cases until they get transferred to appropriate facility. The wards should be dearly demarked with appropriate signage.
At Government Medical Colleges in the State the following numbers of beds constituting Isolation, HDUIPICU/SNCUMICU beds.
All other COVID Care Centre’s having ICU facilities need be required to earmarked 15% of the capacity to be earmarked for Pediatric patient including NICU & PICU care and isolation. All CDM&PHOs and Collectors of the District are required to ensure the creation of such facilities,
Considering the total number of General beds to be 10,736 and ICUIHDU beds to be 4,072, following numbers of beds can be earmarked for Pediatrics COVID Care.
All Superintendents of the Government Medical Colleges & CDM&PHOs of the Districts are advised to keep sufficient stocks of the medicine, consumables & Medical Oxygen for the purpose.
In areas where case loads are expected to be high, establishment of standalone Pediatric COVID Care Facilities shall be considered.
To start with the facilities created will be managed by the available manpower, The trained manpower may be relocated to facilities short of adequate trained hands.
Steps for capacity building by online training will be started. Hands on training will also be initiated by identifying Doctors & Paramedics from the Peripheral Hospital and deputing them to the nearest Medical College in a planned way.
The projected required list of equipment, consumables & medicines prepared by a Technical Committee headed by Prof. & HOD, Pediatrics, SCB, MCH, Cuttack is being purchased through OSMCL.
Superintendent, Sishu Bhawan Is directed to explore the possibility creation of “Dedicated COVID Block”.
Breast feeding corner must be established in all the dedicated COVID Facilities.
Adequate IEC materials related Pediatrics care must be displayed appropriately in the premises.
