Gzb to test PICU preparedness
GHAZIABAD: The Ghaziabad health department plans a test run of their preparations for a possible third wave of Covid-19 infections that they expect to likely affect children more than adults. In the trials, hospitals’ paediatric intensive care units (PICUS) will be under the lens.
“During the test, we may use dummies and may even rope in children between five and six years of age to check quality of care,” said Dr Bhavtosh Shakhdhar, Ghaziabad’s chief medical officer (CMO). “They will come in ambulances to the PICU wards from their homes and the entire health care process will be followed according to protocol. This will help us check our preparedness and make rectifications in case we fall short at any point.”
The chief medical officer said they have selected the children who will participate in the drill that will see doctors and health care staff execute their trainings over the last few months in preparation for a possible third wave. He added that the trials are likely to be held either on Friday or Saturday.
The state health department has appointed nodal officers that will inspect the PICU wards and check the operations of the new oxygen plants in the hospitals, oxygen concentrators and Covid vaccination centres (CVCS).
According to official figures, the district has 70 PICU beds along with 110 isolation beds at Santosh Medical College (a tertiary care facility), Sanjay Nagar Combined District Hospital and four community health centres at Modi Nagar, Murad Nagar, Dasna and Loni.
The district also has nine new oxygen plants with two more scheduled to come up by the end of this month.
“The PICU inspections were initially scheduled only for the Sanjay Nagar Combined District Hospital and ESIC Hospital. But I have asked for all centres to be inspected,” said the CMO.
The trials are part of a statewide run to check preparations for the possible third wave.
While many experts had previously said there was little evidence to suggest that children would be disproportionately affected in a third wave, there are others who believe that since children have not been vaccinated, they may have a higher share in infections. Keeping this in mind, the Uttar Pradesh government has increased paediatric facilities over the last few months.