In light of the likely third wave of COVID-19 infections that could have a greater impact on children, Prime Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy has asked affected officials to make arrangements to set up three children’s hospitals with multiple specialties in Visakhapatnam, Tirupati and the United States hit the Krishna-Guntur region in addition to expanding the pediatric infrastructure in existing hospitals and clinics across the state.
Any multi-disciplinary children’s hospital is likely to cost 180 crore.
At a review meeting held on Monday, Mr. Jagan Mohan Reddy directed officers to raise awareness among parents about the effects and severity of the “third wave” of COVID-19 on children. He asked them to train ASHA and health workers to identify COVID-19 symptoms in children.
Mr. Jagan Mohan Reddy said pediatric departments in all teaching hospitals should be set up according to national standards and instructed officials to set them up as soon as possible. He urged senior officials to inspect PHCs and area hospitals and make arrangements for treating children.
Mr Jagan also urged officials to recruit pediatric medical staff and buy any medicines needed to treat children.
He urged officials to vaccinate mothers of children under 5 as they may have to stay in hospital with COVID-infected children.
Plot available
Regarding the children’s hospitals, Chief Secretary for Health, Medicine and Family Welfare Anil Kumar Singhal said that land in Visakhapatnam is available on the premises of Rani Chandramai’s government. Rehabilitation center and a detailed project report for the construction of a 500-bed hospital at ₹ 200 crore was prepared a year and a half ago. He will start building soon. Land and DPRs would be arranged for the other two hospitals.