From Our Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network
Bengaluru, Jun 22: The expert committee on the prevention of Covid third wave in the state has recommended establishing Paediatric High Dependency Units (HDU), Intensive Care Units (ICU) and children's hospital in district and taluk hospitals as well as medical college hospitals to protect the children against the third wave as children were more likely to be affected.
The expert committee headed by noted cardiac surgeon Dr Devi Prasad Shetty submitted its interim report to chief minister B S Yediyurappa in Bengaluru on Tuesday.
The committee has advised the state government to enlist the help of experts to mobilise human resources, funds and also collaborate with different medical bodies to tackle the problem of shortages of doctor and nurses and also seek the assistance of non-governmental voluntary agencies and corporate firms besides the general public to face the possible onslaught of the third wave.
Accordingly, prioritize to eliminate malnutrition among children and provide psychiatrists in all hospitals to build up the morale and mental health of children affected by Covid besides taking steps to solve oxygen shortages and post-Covid assistance were the other major suggestions.
Pointing out that vaccinating children, all students and teachers were very much essential, the committee has asked the government to vaccinate these sections on a priority basis and consider reopening schools and colleges in a phased manner.
Colleges could be reopened after ensuring that all the above 18 students were vaccinated, the committee suggested.
Health and family welfare minister Dr K Sudhakar, home and law minister Basavaraj Bommai and other senior officials were present at the meeting.