Tribal-dominated district takes lead in creating COVID-19 care facility for children

Paediatric wards connected to central oxygen pipeline in view of third wave warnings

The tribal-dominated Banswara district in southern Rajasthan has taken the lead in creating first-of-its-kind paediatric COVID-19 care facility as part of preparations for a possible third wave of infection. Beautified with colourful drawings and cartoons depicted on the walls, the dedicated wards will cater to children with different stages of coronavirus infection. The district administration identified the buildings and rooms lying in disuse in the premises of the Mahatma Gandhi Government Hospital and took up their extensive repairs and reconstruction. Following a month-long exercise, a 20-bedded paediatric ICU, a 40-bed children’s ward and a 35-bed special newborn care unit have been set up in the hospital. In the light of warnings that the next wave may affect the children harder than the first two waves, all the paediatric wards have been connected to the central oxygen pipeline and the facilities of ventilators, BiPAP and CPAP machines and radiant warmers have been arranged for each bed.