Bengaluru: The Karnataka government has decided to rehabilitate children up to the age of 18 orphaned by the second wave coronavirus and setting up special children COVID care centers in 30 districts of the state.
‘The government is ready to rehabilitate children orphaned by the second wave COVID-19. Children do not have to be afraid, because we have decided to set up separate quarantine facilities and residences for adults up to the age of 18, ‘the woman and child welfare, Shashikala Jolle, said at a press conference.
Jolle said the government had drawn up a helpline ‘1098’ and a senior IAS officer Mohan Raj had been appointed as nodal officer to ensure that such children were cared for.
According to her, the department has identified four circumstances in which children are deprived of parental care and need the department’s intervention.
It is when father and mother die COVID, if both father and mother are admitted to hospital, if one of them dies COVID or if one is dead and another lives in another neighborhood.
According to Jolle, many schemes have been introduced for children who have been orphaned by COVID such as special quarantine facilities for different age groups.
The department also has a special scheme for the treatment of COVID infected children.
This is the creation of separate pediatric COVID care centers in 30 districts for the asymptomatic and special care for children with mild to moderate symptoms.
She also said that steps have been taken for the distribution of special nutritious food to households of Anganwadi beneficiaries and special care to Anganwadi children, pregnant and postnatal mothers.
Regarding the department’s preparations to deal with a possible third wave, she said: ‘After the experts warned that the third wave will affect young children, our department is already taking steps to mitigate the challenge.’
According to health department officials, more than 15 children died this year due to COVID in the second wave.
Source: Telangana Today