BMC to give special training to paediatricians amid fear of third wave

Days after the Uddhav Thackeray-led Maharashtra government announced the setting up of a paediatric task force, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) said that they will provide special training, guidance to the paediatricians across the city.

This move comes as a third wave of the pandemic, which is likely to affect children in more numbers, is expected to hit Maharashtra and other states across the nation in August-September.

As part of this new campaign, the civic body has directed the assistant municipal commissioners of all 24 wards of BMC to take initiate the special training for paediatricians in their respective ward and organize training programs. These training programs will be conducted in batches to ensure social and physical distancing.

The training will also involve suggestions on more effective hygiene in all slum areas, public toilets and other public places. Apart from this, the civic body is working out on giving home visits at the level of Municipal Health posts across the city.

Also Read: How to protect children in the possible on-coming third wave of COVID-19?

The training programs will be conducted by senior experts from the concerned departments of the civic-run medical colleges and hospitals. The responsibility of overseeing the training and planning them has been entrusted to Ramesh Bharmal, dean of BYL Nair Hospital.

Moreover, home visits will be increased at the level of all the 'health posts' of the corporation. Mumbai civic chief has directed the ward officials to ensure that more effective cleanliness is maintained in all slum areas, public toilets and other public places in all wards.

Members of the Paediatric Task Force formed by the state government will be invited as mentors. This Paediatric Task Force was officially announced on Thursday, May 27, by State Health Minister Rajesh Tope. The task force will consist of 13 experts from across the state and will be chaired by renowned paediatrician Dr Suhas Prabhu.

Also Read: Newborn Tests Positive For COVID-19 In Palghar, while her Mother tests negative