Strict watch on 4 K malnourished children in district

Aurangabad, May 22:

Asha, Anganwadi and Health Department workers are keeping a watch on 4,000 malnourished children of the district, taking into a possible threat to their life in the third COVID wave.

The city is known for industrial development in the country and tourists places across the world. No one will believe that there are 4,000 malnourished children in the district. But it's true.

Senior citizens mostly became victims in the first wave of the pandemic virus while youth victims in its second wave.

Health experts feel that the third wave would be dangerous for children. The district administration has geared up for the third wave.

In the backdrop of this, Woman and Child Development Department of Zilla Parishad are keeping watch on 2.50 children between zero to six years about their regular vaccination and change in their daily health.

Anganwadi and health department workers are monitoring the health of children between six to 18 years ago. Among them, 3,800 are underweight, while 107 are malnourished who are more vulnerable to infection.

The Health and Woman and Child Welfare Department of ZP received guidelines from the Government about measures to be taken if a pandemic virus spread in children. Accordingly, both the departments are doing the planning.

COVID Care Centres (CCCs) would be started at Chawdi or school in a village as per the need for the treatment of infected children between 10 to 18 years.

The children between zero to 10 years will be treated at Government Medical College and Hospital and CCC to be started Garware Company.

Also, children care centres would be launched in the rural areas. Meanwhile, Anganwadi, Asha and health workers are keeping a daily watch on malnourished children currently.

Deputy chief executive officer of Woman and Child Development Prasad Mirkale said that they are paying attention to the health of malnourished children on a priority basis.

“We have launched a search for children who have no parents. If their relatives are unable to take care of the children, they can admit children to ‘Child Care Home’. Those who are taking care of such children will be given Rs 1100 monthly,” he added.