“For the preparation of anticipatory third wave and paediatric case surge, we are strengthening the paediatric beds, especially the critical unit treatment facility, at every district level,” said director health services Ajay Chakraborty
On Monday, NRS Medical College and Hospital (NRSMCH) was given the administrative approval to procure equipment and consumables for paediatric dialysis for all health facilities that will have dialysis facilities for Covid-19 infected children. Along with NRSMCH, that would procure and stock it, Medical College Hospital Kolkata (MCHK) and SSKM Hospital have been entrusted with the responsibility of logistic management for seamless supply across the state. These are the only three government hospitals that have paediatric dialysis facilities.
“This has been done on the recommendation of experts to nominate one or two centres for procurement of consumables as a single point procurement and distribution facility will facilitate timely procurement and supply during an urgent situation,” said a source at Swasthya Bhawan.
The health department has been giving much emphasis on augmenting paediatric Covid facilities due to the hypothesis that more children could be infected during the third wave. All teaching medical colleges and other government hospitals have already created 20 to 25 beds, including critical care beds for this.
“We don’t know how severe the third wave could be. But if children are infected in large numbers, few among the critically ill and also those suffering from MIS-C may require renal dialysis,” said assistant professor of paediatrics, Dibyendu Raychaudhuri, in-charge of paediatric dialysis unit at MCHK.