Goemkaponn Desk
PANAJI: The first meeting of the newly constituted State Task Force cum Steering Committee to discuss and adopt the measure for the probable 3rd wave at Van Bhawan, Altinho Panaji, yesterday.
Health Minister, Vishwajit Rane; Chief Secretary, Parimal Rai, IAS; Health Secretary, Ravi Dhawan,IAS; Dean GMC Dr S. Bandekar; Director DHS Dr Jose D’sa along with other expert members attended the meeting.
Chief Minister highlighting the need for a comprehensive approach towards this probable 3rd wave emphasised that all the relevant data should be collected and necessary procurements should be done on top priority within the ensuing fortnight.
Dr Sawant called upon the private practitioners in the State to adopt a line of treatment that would be in synchronization with the standard protocol adopted in Govt. Hospitals. Emphasising on incorporating the Covid treatment protocol of AYUSH Ministry, he urged to improve the immunity of parents and children on priority.
There were inputs from Expert Senior Doctors of GMC and DHS along with representatives of Indian Medical Association & Indian Association of Paediatricians. Dr Jagdish Cacodcar (Member Secretary of the Task Force) and Dr Mimi P. Silveira HoD Paediatrics also gave their PowerPoint presentations on the topic.
The Committee unanimously decided to have a meeting of the Expert Committee immediately on May 22 to decide upon the various measures towards preparedness for the 3rd wave.
The measures being available infrastructure of PICU, NICU and Paediatric beds in Goa and identify need for augmentation of infrastructure to face the challenges of 3rd wave that may affect children; enlist the requirements of equipment, medications and medical/ nursing/ paramedical manpower for the 3rd wave; ensure training and availability of counsellors of Education Dept and Women & Child Dept. besides other agencies; develop common SOPs to manage covid in children that will be followed in Government and Private sector; Conduct Webinar and Skill based training for all Paediatricians in Goa to manage severe covid; explore possibility of obtaining covid vaccines for 18 to 44 age group, prioritizing lactating mothers and youth with co-morbidities; hold a Press conference to pass-on the relevant messages to encourage early testing and reporting of children with covid symptoms by Parents and focusing on needs of rural communities to tackle Covid pandemic.