A third wave is on the way, and COVID-19 may impact youngsters; paediatric facilities are inadequate, warns a Home Ministry commission

NEW DELHI: A team of specialists from the Home Ministry has warned the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) of a COVID-19 third wave that might peak in October.

The group of specialists formed by the Home Ministry under the National Institute of Disaster Management (NIDM) has also said that the COVID-19 third wave will affect children, who may be at risk in the same way as elders.

While underlining the inadequacy of pediatric facilities across the country to deal with such scenarios, the expert panel has recommended increased medical infrastructure and healthcare facilities.

In its report to the PMO, the panel warned of a dearth of medical facilities, doctors, employees, and equipment such as ventilators and ambulances to deal with such situations. According to media sources, the existing medical facilities are “nowhere near what may be necessary in the event that a high number of youngsters become infected.”

The research, titled “Third Wave Preparedness: Children Vulnerability and Recovery,” discusses the possibility of a third-wave pandemic affecting children as well as the tactics needed to combat the pandemic.

The expert panel study emphasizes the need of immunization for children with comorbidities and those with impairments. The research cautions that “despite many preventive measures,” the COVID third wave might climax in late October.

Dr. VK Paul, a major member of PM Modi’s COVID management team, had stated that there is no indication that children will be affected by the Covid third wave.

He had stated that adults should get vaccinated in order to protect children. However, Paul has now proposed that in the event of a COVID-19 infection increase, prepare for 23 hospitalizations for every 100 positive patients.

In response to a concern about a probable third wave of COVID-19, Union Information and Broadcasting Minister Anurag Thakur stated that the Centre is completely prepared to deal with it.

He further stated that Rs 23,123 crore has been set aside for this purpose. Thakur stated that a specific emphasis is being placed on boosting paediatric care due to concerns that the third wave will disproportionately harm youngsters.

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