Patna hospitals ready beds for kids as experts predict third Covid wave – ET HealthWorld

Dr Nigam Prakash Narain, former head of paediatrics department at Patna Medical College and Hospital (PMCH), said the prediction of early arrival of third wave was based on irresponsible behaviour of the citizens after easing of restrictions.

“People have stopped following Covid safety protocols, thereby inviting third wave of pandemic. In the first Covid wave, the percentage of children getting affected in the country was nearly 3.8% and the figure rose to 12% in the second wave. It is expected that children will be affected more in the third wave. However, the severity of the third wave will not be fierce as maximum people would develop immunity against the disease by then,” Dr Narain said.

All India Institute of Medical Sciences-Patna (AIIMS-P) has already set up a 60-bed Covid ward in paediatric department for the children aged between one and 17 years. A 20-bed PICU (paediatric intensive care unit) and a 10-bed paediatric surgery unit have also been prepared. Also, 10 NICU (newborn intensive care unit) beds have been readied. Dr Sanjeev Kumar, nodal incharge for Covid-19 at AIIMS-P, said the hospital would increase the number of beds if required.

IGIMS-Patna has prepared itself for the expected third wave of the pandemic by setting up a 40-bed Covid ward in the paediatric department. “We are prepared to save lives of children. The hospital has a 40-bed ward for kids equipped with six ventilators. An eight-bed PICU and a four-bed NICU have also been set up,” the hospital’s medical superintendent Dr Manish Mandal said.

Acharya Kishore Kunal, secretary of Mahavir Mandir Trust, said a 60-bed Covid ward for Kids would be created at the Mahavir Vatsalya Aspatal soon. “We are developing a separate floor for the Covid ward for kids with all the facilities. It will be ready by August,” he said.

At NMCH-Patna, a 36-bed Covid ward has been set up in the newly constructed Mother-Child Hospital building. The hospital also has a 50-bed ICU facility for Covid patients, including NICU and PICU.

Dr Mukul Kumar Singh, nodal officer for Covid-19 at NMCH-P, said the hospital has made all preparations for the third wave. “The hospital’s own liquid oxygen plant of 3,000 cubic litre per day capacity would be ready in next 14-15 days,” he said.

The state health department had recently asked the Bihar Medical Services and Infrastructure Corporation Limited to make quick supply of equipment required for NICU, PICU and SNCU (sick newborn care unit) at various medical college and hospitals and Sadar hospitals.