Group of paediatric specialists to list guidelines for third wave

Tribune News Service

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Chandigarh, June 7

Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh today announced a group of specialists in paediatrics to frame protocols and handhold private hospitals for enhancing paediatric beds and treatment protocols, while rolling out a detailed action plan in preparation of a possible third wave of Covid in the state.

The group will comprise specialists from GMCs, Department of Health, PGI & IAP Punjab Chapter, said the Chief Minister, while directing the Health and Medical Education departments to put into action a comprehensive plan to deal with the next wave, if and when it comes.

Chairing a virtual Covid review meeting, the Chief Minister took stock of the preparations under way for the third wave and ordered creation of storage capacities for oxygen for a minimum of three days in all government medical colleges, with piped oxygen to be made available in government hospitals.

At least 375 MT oxygen should be available with the state at any given time, he said, stressing the need to prepare for peak supply logistics. The Chief Secretary said the state had received 500 oxygen concentrators today against the World Bank Loan for Water Surface Supply projects, and another 2,500 were on the way. The CM directed DCs to identify paediatric Covid L2 and L3 beds in private sector (at least 1,000), with experts to advise the district administration on paediatric treatment protocol/medicines.

He asked the officials to increase the number of RTPCR machines for Covid testing of children, besides increasing ICU and oxygen capacities, augmenting infrastructure and manpower, and increasing surveillance and testing across the state.

Amid indications of damage caused by the third wave in some countries as much as 25 per cent higher than the second wave, the CM ordered creation of surge capacity in equipment, recruitment of doctors, specialists, nurses, technicians, etc.