In order to save the lives of many children from the deadly Covid-19’s third wave, the district administration has been very cautious with all its actions. The administration is taking all the relevant steps to identify the children suffering from malnutrition across the district.
The child health project (Balachaitanya yojana) has been the highest priority. “The subject would soon be discussed with the Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa and seek approval to be implemented in all the districts across the state”, said Women and Child Development Minister Shashikala Jolle.
A meeting was held in the District Collector’s office on Friday, discussing the implications, and precautionary measures of COVID’s third wave on the children, as the experts’ panel, always warned the children would be the most affected.
DC chaired the meeting and addressed the public and media persons saying, the administration has decided to reduce the number of deaths among the Covid affected children by identifying the extremely malnourished children and the moderately malnourished children and providing them with nutritious food and other medical help would be made available under the Bala Chaitanya Yojana.
“So far, 827 severely malnourished children and 45,774 moderately nourished children have been identified in the Ballari district. All of 827 children shall be kept under quarantine in various child care centres across the district along with their mothers. Food filled with nutrition shall be made available to the children and their mothers for a period of 14 days. These children shall be under surveillance for the next 1 year. Over 60 private paediatricians have come forward to give free assistance to the children in the district is a moment of appreciation”, says DC Pavan Kumar Malapati.
“2 of children in the district have lost both their parents due to COVID and at least 83 children who have lost either of their parents in the district so far. These children shall be given relief under Child care scheme, free education shall be provided and essential services according to the legalities shall be made available”, said Women and Child development minister Shashikala Jolle.
Shashikala Jolle also added that, in every taluk, estates and buildings coming under the jurisdiction of the Women and Child development department or school buildings shall be converted to Covid care centres differently for the children of the age group of 1 month – 10 years old, and 10-18 years girls and boys separately. Such buildings shall soon be identified.
