Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi (SP)

Udupi, Jul 14: The second corona wave has been flattening out. The experts have warned about the third wave that is likely to hit the health of the citizens hard shortly. In view of this, the district administration here has, as a precautionary measure, taken steps to acquire medical equipment. 

The district already has enough ICU beds. The district also possesses all the medical equipment used to treat elders and senior citizens. As the district has enough hospitals, treating people in the first and second wave did not pose too much of a problem. But as far as the third wave is concerned, there are certain challenges. The ventilators currently with the administration cannot be used for the children.

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Therefore, the process of acquiring 25 paediatric ventilators for the district government hospitals is under progress, sources said. The government hospital here will receive 20 ventilators in the next 45 days. Health department officials said that in the first phase, the government will acquire 45 paediatric ventilators.

When compared to other districts, Udupi does not suffer from shortage of paediatricians. The district administration has requested the government to post four paediatricians to the district. There are right paediatricians including four in the Mother & Child Hospital and one each in the district hospital, Karkala, Kundapur and Kota government hospitals. In private hospitals, four paediatricians are in Karkala, eight in Kundapur, and 36 others. Steps have been taken to train the government and private doctors at KMC Hospital Manipal where special technical training will be imparted.

Over 1,500 children had suffered during Covid first and second wave in the district. The district has 2.71 lac children. Indian Medical association has prepared guidelines to protect the children from the Covid third wave. Preparations are under way to fall in line with these guidelines, the district administration said.