Treatment of thousands of children rest on shoulders of 250 pediatricians

Aurangabad, May 27:

As the second wave of Covid-19 recedes, the administration is gearing up for the third wave. As children are said to be most at risk, facilities are being set up for the treatment of children. But the insufficient number of pediatricians has become a matter of concern as there are only 250 pediatricians in Aurangabad.

The potential third wave of corona is feared to be a threat to young children. Accordingly, the health administration in Aurangabad has already started taking precautions and measures. Sufficient number of beds, Covid Care Centers, medicines, pediatric ventilators and other medical supplies are being planned. However, as children are not able to make a proper diagnosis of their illness, the doctors have to rely on their mothers for treatment. Therefore, the number of pediatricians must be sufficient for the treatment of children. The neonatal and pediatrics department of the Government Medical College and Hospital is also gearing up for the third wave. Doctors and nurses from municipal corporation have started training in the GMCH for the treatment. The lack of pediatricians in rural areas and government hospitals is also worrisome for the administration.

Situation in rural areas is bad

There are 51 primary health centers in rural areas of the district. However, they were inadequate for treatment of corona patients. Now special attention needs to be paid to these centers. There is no pediatrician in the primary health center said Dr Ulhas Gandal. But he also said planning was being done against the backdrop of the third wave.

Only 2 per cent of children will be serious

Secretary of Aurangabad Pediatricians Association Dr Sandhya Kondpalle said that 25 per cent of the total population are children. Although children are affected by the third wave, 90 per cent of them will not have symptoms, or have mild symptoms. Only 10 per cent of children will need to be hospitalized. Only 2 per cent of these children can be serious. Children can also be treated in home isolation.

Two 100-bed hospitals

Garware company is setting up a 100-bed covid hospital for children and a 100-bed covid center at MGM Sports Complex. Municipal corporation has allotted 736 beds for the treatment of children in various hospitals that consists of 45 ventilators and 437 oxygen beds.

Number of pediatrician will be increased

A total of 18 pediatricians are working in district civil hospital, sub-district hospital and rural hospitals. Planning is being done against the backdrop of the third wave. Number of pediatricians will also be raised, said district surgeon Dr S V Kulkarni.

Total corona patients-1,41,451

Healed patients - 1,33,457

Patients under 5 years of age - 1,384

Patients in the age group of 5 to 18 years - 7,747