Third wave? Govt to ramp up health infra for children

Aditi Tandon

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, June 1

Amid fears that the potential third wave of Covid-19 might impact children more, India is in the process of adopting fresh guidelines on pediatric Covid disease with a group of experts telling the government to prepare for the worst and ramp up hospital infrastructure for children.

VK Paul, Member, Health, NITI Aayog, today said though there was no evidence of serious Covid disease in children, the impact could increase if the virus changed its behaviour.

“Our focus on pediatric Covid disease is gaining attention. We will strengthen our systems for children and audit what is required and what might be required in a worst case scenario,” said Paul.

He said a national expert group on pediatric Covid had given a detailed report which would be adopted soon.

The push in the direction follows realisation that 2-3 per cent of the children infected with Covid might need hospitalisation. Paul said the plan was to ramp up pediatric hospital facilities by 2.5 times.

He also shared evidence of a new serious post-Covid disease among children which showed up two to six weeks after recovery and could turn into an emergency situation.