Jamshedpur, Aug 24: After an expert panel, set up under the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), predicted a third wave of COVID-19 hitting the country anytime between September and October, the administration has sounded a general alert in the city.
As part of the preparation for a possible third wave of COVID, at least 60% of the paediatric wards and ICUs are being planned in all hospitals. Prominent hospitals like Tata Main Hospital ( TMH), Tata Motors Hospital and MGM Medical College and Hospital have been refurbishing their paediatric wards and introducing better medical facilities for proper treatment of children.
“All arrangements are being made to counter possible third wave and ensure that oxygen requirements would not suffer,” said an official of the health department. The Health Department is handling various aspects of the pandemic. It is working as a team under various heads, data management, surveillance, lab surveillance, call centre management, training and awareness division, media surveillance, and vaccination and coordination of various COVID related activities. The committees meet every day to share data and to help the government formulate strategies for pandemic management.
Meanwhile, the XLRI Alumni Association dedicated a four-bed Intensive Care Unit (ICU) facility for treatment of Covid patients at St. Joseph’s Hospital, located at Bhilaipahari, around 10km away from the Steel City. The ICU with Covid level – III facilities was inaugurated by East Singhbhum civil surgeon A.K. Lal. He appreciated the gesture of XLRI Alumni Association for its contribution in developing the ICU and said that the district health department would also provide necessary support to the hospital.
The special facility at St. Joseph’s Hospital will help in catering 10 villages located in close proximity. It will help in fighting Covid-19, “said Ronald D’Costa, president of XLRI Alumni Association (Jamshedpur chapter).
The ICU facility is equipped with the latest medical equipment like a multipara monitor with a wall mounting bracket.
Meanwhile, a team comprising local police stations in-charge along with incident commanders are visiting different areas and to take action against those violating norms of social distancing.
“Despite a turbulent second wave, people are still not following the rules. Strict enforcement of the triad of precautionary measures — use of masks and sanitisers and following social distancing — in public spaces has become a priority,” said the official.
After the pandemic re-emerged in March this year and several children also fell victim to the Coronavirus, the East Singhbhum deputy commissioner, Suraj Kumar has taken up the decision to ensure sufficient paediatric wards in the city.
