Haveri authorities fret over poor health of over 17,000 kids

HAVERI: The Haveri district administration has screened 3.2 lakh children under the 'Vatsalya' programme, as a precautionary measure, to face a possible third wave of Covid-19, which may affect children.
However, of these, over 17,230 children were identified to have health issues like defects at birth, deficiencies, diseases, delayed mental development, severe acute malnourishment, and some displayed Covid symptoms.The authorities have treated and provided medicine and food kits to needy children. The Vatsalya program is helping to detect children with health issues, who are up to 16, and provide them proper treatment as early as possible.
Haveri district health officer Dr H S Raghavendraswamy said that of the 3.2 lakh children screened, over 17,230 of them were found to have health issues. A total 1,213 of them had defects at birth, 3,294 had deficiencies, 7,501 had various diseases, 1,065 had delayed mental development, 981 had severe acute malnourishment, and 1,977 children were found to have Covid symptoms during the survey. "Our doctors have referred 2,488 children to higher medical centres to get their health checked. Paediatricians in taluk and district hospitals will treat these children," he said.
'Over 4.7 lakh children screeened in district'
"We have advised parents regarding food and medicine, during the health check-up camps conducted in schools in the district. It will help to curb infection in children, in case there is a third wave," the DHO said.
Haveri ZP CEO Mohammad Roshan said they had targeted to screen 3 lakh children initially, however, over 4.7 lakh children have already been screened in the first and second phases. "We have achieved 80% of the target in the second phase already. However, we are worried about the children with health issues, and 981 children are suffering from severe acute malnourishment. We need to provide nutritious foods and sufficient vitamins to them, to be able to fight against a possible third wave," he said.
He also advised that parents should care about their children, and especially focus on unhealthy children, to help them get better. "We have been tracking children who have been referred to paediatricians for additional care. Moreover, we have complete data about children in the district, and it will help to continue monitoring them during the pandemic," Mohammad Roshan added.
"We have fixed July 30 as the deadline to conclude the Vatsalya programme, but have achieved and surpassed our target already. We will focus on 80,000 children who have been absent from the health camps. We are tracking the children, who number more than 17,230, and whose health is problematic," said Sanjay Shettennavar, deputy commissioner, Haveri.