Though experts are split in their opinion on a possible third wave of Covid-19 infections, Tamil Nadu has decided not to dismantle the infrastructure created to handle the huge rush of patients in the past two months, besides focussing on setting up permanent pediatric facilities in all government hospitals.
The state is also augmenting ICU and oxygen-supported beds in government hospitals and in new facilities created to handle the second wave, even as the new DMK dispensation is offering incentives to those who manufacture oxygen and Covid-19-related equipment to set shop in the state.
As the oxygen demand peaked to over 600 MT in May during the second wave, the government has now set up small oxygen plants within hospital premises, and in interior districts with support from various businesses to supply to government hospitals across the state.
Besides augmenting the infrastructure, Chief Minister M K Stalin has also formed a Task Force headed by former Health Secretary R Poornalingam and consisting of top epidemiologist Dr Jayaprakash Muliyil, and former Director of Public Health Dr K Kolandaswamy, to assist the government in fighting the novel coronavirus.
With reports suggesting that children could be the worst hit during the third wave, the Tamil Nadu chapter of the Indian Academy of Paediatrics (IAP) has also pitched in to complement the government’s efforts by imparting training to paediatricians on treating children for Covid-19.
The state chapter of IAP has decided to set up Covid-19 paediatric cells in all 38 districts that will serve as a helpline, while it is also training paediatricians on the treatment protocol and how to handle children with the multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C), a post-Covid-19 disease associated with children.
Dr K Rajendran, Head of the Department of Pediatrics & Neonatology, Kovai Medical Center & Hospital, Coimbatore, told DH that the IAP has developed a 45-minute online training module for paediatricians and nurses to handle cases of Covid-19 in children.
“The module has been prepared, and we want all paediatricians and nurses in the state, both government and private health care providers to undergo the training. Since Covid-19 cases are categorised into mild, moderate, and severe, those who handle patients should know the treatment protocol and the concept of zero-delay,” Rajendran, also honorary secretary of IAP, TN chapter, said.
He also added that the association was taking a list of paediatric ICU beds available in the state so that they can guide people when they call the district helpline in case of an emergency. He also insisted on taking steps to start early vaccination for children after a vaccine has been approved.
“Though there is no specific indication, we are prepared (for a third wave) as we know people tend to move around when relaxations are eased. Since the nature of any virus is to keep mutating, we have decided not to dismantle any Covid-19 infrastructure. We will also keep augmenting the existing infrastructure,” Dr J Radhakrishnan, Health Secretary, told DH.
He said the government is also focussing on bringing about behavioural change among people till the time vaccination reaches an “appropriate level.”
Tamil Nadu was one of the worst affected states during the second wave as it added over 10 lakh positive cases in just two months, and reported over 14,000 deaths during the same period. With testing remaining at 1.80 lakh samples a day, the cases are showing a decline for the past few weeks.
“While we are focused on permanent augmentation of ICU and oxygen-supported beds across the state, we are also adding paediatrics wards to all district government hospitals to handle any surge in cases among children, though there is no specific research that says children will be affected in the future,” Dr Radhakrishnan added.
Dr Kolandaswamy, who was Director of Public Health in the initial months of the Covid-19 pandemic, said the task force has suggested the government keep increasing the number of ICU and oxygen beds, besides focussing on vaccination.
“The state government’s decision to increase the number of oxygen plants is a welcome move and the requirement for oxygen during a possible third wave will be much more than the second wave. Vaccination is the key to fight the virus, but if we don’t vaccinate enough people when the third wave hits, keeping the maximum number of oxygen-supported beds ready will help immensely,” he added.
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