PANAJI
The first-ever Covid Care Centre was launched at the hands of Managing Committee Member of Indian Red Cross Society Dr Digambar Naik at Don Bosco Shelter Home in Parra to help take care of children affected by Covid-19.
The centre is the fruit of the combined efforts of five child-focused organizations including Margaret Bosco Bal Sadan, Catalyst for Social Action, Human Touch Foundation, Children’s Right in Goa, Childline Goa and Konkan Development Society, which have come together in an effort to improve childcare during the second wave of the Covid pandemic.
Such centres will now be set up to help asymptomatic and mildly symptomatic male paediatric patients. The centre is approved by the North Goa Collector and was inspected by Women and Child Department Secretary YVV Rajashekar and Director Deepali Naik.
“Covid-19 care centres of this nature are important as not every child can home isolate after getting the virus. Some areas are densely populated and children might not be able to access better care. This centre will be an interim centre for such care and we will also continue supporting such families after assessing their care needs,” said Fr Jose Sequeira of MBBS, who also has a registered child care institution housing orphans and semi- orphans at Paliem.
Cases can be referred to this centre via 9673174950 and through the national child helpline 1098. The centre will also provide psychological first aid by professional clinical psychologists, post-Covid care, dry ration support and other social protection.
Before the inaugural, basic training on Covid-19 protocols was conducted by Dr Digamber Naik and Dr Noel Britto.
