State govt to set up paediatric task force

MUMBAI: The Maharashtra government plans to set up a paediatric task force to guide the state to deal with Covid-19 infections among children and infants in the possible third Covid-19 wave expected later in the year.

Health minister Rajesh Tope said the state will prepare to ramp up hospital beds and other infrastructure for children based on the recommendation of the task force.

Projections suggest that children could be hit in the next wave of infections. The state aims to streamline the treatment protocol and set up health infrastructure to deal with such cases.

Earlier this week, environment and tourism minister Aaditya Thackeray suggested the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation set up a paediatric Covid care ward. A 300-400 bed facility is expected to come up at Nesco in Goregaon East.

Chief minister Uddhav

Thackeray held a meeting via video-conference with leading paediatricians from Mumbai and other parts of the state on Thursday.

Thackeray, in a statement from the Chief Minister’s Office, said, “Medical experts have projected that the third wave could be dangerous for

children. Therefore, we will set up a paediatric task force in the state.”

Tope said that as the state is inoculating citizens above 18 years, those below it will fall under the vulnerable category when the third wave strikes between June and September.