KARACHI:Due to the closure of small clinics and regular OPD in most health facilities Sindh, worried parents are bringing their children to Child Life Emergency Rooms across Sindh for even regular cough and fever suspecting COVID-19, which is putting an immense pressure on hospitals.
However, only around 10 percent of them are being referred to Risk Assessment Desk (RAD), and of those, 15% are treated and advised testing as COVID-19 suspects. To date 3000+ children suspected of Corona have been referred to ChildLife special Triage Desk in ERs.
It is pertinent to note that ChildLife Foundation is treating more than 2000 children per day at its 10 Emergency Rooms (ERs) in government teaching hospitals across Sindh and Balochistan which have been functioning 24×7 despite lockdown.
The doctors and staff at all ERs being operated by ChildLife Foundation observe all safety precautions and have been provided with proper safety kits including PPE suits, face masks and other protective gear, to keep them safe and contain the spread of virus.
ChildLife has put protocols in place to ensure that the sick children suspected of COVID-19 are being treated in separate isolated areas while other sick children coming to ER are segregated in other sections.
“In these testing times, ERs are the last line of defense and sometimes the only choice for serious illnesses in children including coronavirus,” said a spokesperson of ChildLife Foundation. “We anticipate that with the economic downturn, more parents will be forced to utilize free govt ER services and our dedicated staff which is already treating a heavy load of patients will face more difficulties,” added the spokesperson.
“We appeal the masses to practice social distancing, even at their homes and workplaces, and travel only when absolutely necessary, to help control the spread of COVID-19,” he said, adding that this will also help reduce the burden on hospitals.