Rajendra Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS) in Ranchi will function as a centre of excellence to help the state combat a possible third wave of Covid-19 with three of its key departments working in tandem to monitor paediatric cases reported frm across the state, health officials said on Thursday.

In a letter addressed to RIMS Director Dr Kameshwar Prasad, state health secretary Arun Kumar Singh stated that the department of neonatology, department of paediatrics and Centre of Excellence for Management of SAM (Severely Acute Malnourished) Children would provide technical guidance for combatting Covid-19 cases among children and prepare protocols and guidelines.

“As the premiere medical institution in Jharkhand, RIMS will also assist all private hospitals, public hospitals and child specialists working across the state,” the letter stated, adding that RIMS will provide daily updates to the department of health about the situation of Covid-19 among children during the third wave.

RIMS has had to deal with lack of infrastructure and resources during the first and the second wave of Covid-19. Yet, it was selected as the centre of excellence because of its position as the premiere healthcare facility in the state and its pool of experienced doctors, a health official explained.

The health secretary had earlier stated that a third wave of Covid-19 may affect around 7 lakh children in Jharkhand and about 45,000 of them might need hospitalisation. The state, however, is dealing with a shortage of child specialists and has only 125 doctors with expertise in treating ailments in children.

The state government has also asked administrations of all 24 districts to prepare a six-member team of doctors and nurses to manage intensive care units (ICUs) for children. The teams comprise two medical officers, two doctors and two staff nurses. These teams would be imparted special training in managing neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) and paediatrics intensive care u nits (PICUs), officials said.

While the active caseload of Covid-19 has dropped in Jharkhand after enforcement of strict restrictions, doctors fear that any complacency at this stage could cause a surge in cases again.

In the wake of the growing concern about a third wave, the government has set up special ICUs for children in various government and private hospitals and also strengthened the infrastructure for child care at medical facilities. The state recently held its first national level webinar to prepare for the third wave keeping in mind the possibility that it could have an impact on children.