From Our Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network
Bengaluru, Jun 1: With possibilities of a third wave, the state government is preparing itself to face the situation head-on by deciding to set up pediatric wards in all district hospitals, health and medical education minister Dr K Sudhakar said on Tuesday.
Dr Sudhakar chaired a meeting in Bengaluru with senior officials of health and family welfare and medical departments to review the prevailing Covid-19 situation in the state and containment measures.
Speaking to the media after the meeting, the minister said that oxygen generation plants will be set up in every taluk hospital and district hospital across the state.
A dedicated 70 to 80 bed pediatric ward will be arranged in all district hospitals. Additional pediatricians and nursing staff will also be recruited wherever it is necessary, he said.
Dr Sudhakar said a special training session will be conducted through Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences (RGUHS) to train MBBS and other technical staff.
Seven genomic labs will be established across the State to study the mutated strains found in the second wave.
These labs will come up at five medical colleges and Wenlock Hospital, Mangaluru and Vijayapura District Hospital.
This study will help us to understand the virus better and for the development of better medicine and treatment protocol based on the nature of the virus.
CM will decide on easing restrictions
Technical Advisory Committee has submitted its report and chief minister B S Yediyurappa will decide on modalities of easing restrictions gradually.
Experts have advised that restrictions can be eased if the positivity rate is less than 5% and the number of cases reduces to 5,000, he said.
However, the positivity rate is still high in many districts and it is necessary to exercise caution, the minister said.
The state has received another consignment of 1.64 lakh doses of the Covaxin vaccine, he said.
The available stock will be used to vaccinate citizens above 45 years who are due for a second dose.
The vaccine will be eventually made available to all once the supply increases, he added. The state has received 5.76 lakh doses of the Covishield vaccine from the Centre, taking the total release of the Covishield vaccine to 1.14 crore doses. In addition, the state government has directly purchased 13.54 lac doses of vaccines, he said
State will get more Amphotericin
Black fungus infection is treatable, he said adding: in some cases where the infection has reached the eyes then it makes it inevitable to remove the eyes to weed out even the tiniest trace of the infection so that it does not invade the brain.
He said if the fungus invades the brain it is very dangerous. Hence, eyes are to be removed to stop the spread to the brain and not due to lack of medicine.
"Treatment of black fungus will be decided by Ophthalmologists, ENT Specialists based on the condition of each case. I am in constant touch with Union Minister to ensure sufficient supply of medicine,’’ the Minister said.
It is reported that two kids whose parents have recovered from Covid might have been infected from Kawasaki. Malnutrition and other social factors are among the causes of this. The state government is closely tracking such cases, he said.
Till 19 years of age, children should be treated in consultation with pediatricians. We need to crates awareness about this.
The minister mentioned that there is no question of hiding numbers. We have provided information to even opposition leaders whenever they have asked, he said.
We cannot say that the third wave has started. The second wave is yet to subdue. We must take care of our children to protect them from the virus.
Vaccination centres should not deny vaccine once the slot is confirmed. Action will be initiated against those centres which deny vaccine even after slot confirmation.