HUBBALLI: The state health department has started putting together a plan for a possible Covid-19 third wave.
As health experts have categorically warned that children would be affected by the third wave more than adults, the health department has started the process to procure life saving drugs for kids.
Health and Family Welfare state commissioner Dr K V Trilok Chandra said the department has decided to procure Intravenous Immunoglobulin (IVIG) drug worth more than Rs 10 crores for emergency use among children.
Tender process begins The drug will be procured through a tender process and the process has begun.
“Currently, we have plans to procure IVIG drugs for 15,000 children.
The drug will only be administered to children with severe issues,” he added.
According to sources, IVIG is given to patients with diseases that affect the immune system.
Children who do not have enough antibodies are given IVIG to help boost their immune system.
IVIG is also used to treat autoimmune disorders.
MIS-C risk Dr Veeranna Mudhol, paediatric expert, said post Covid, there are chances of multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C), a condition that appears to be linked to Covid-19.
This appears among children between 6 to 10 weeks after Covid.
Most children who become infected with the Covid-19 have only a mild illness, but in children who go on to develop MIS-C, some organs and tissues such as the heart, lungs, blood vessels, kidneys, digestive system, brain, skin or eyes become severely inflamed, he added.
MIS-C is rare and most children who have it eventually get better with medical care and IVIG drug besides steroids.
“The IVIG drug is expensive.
It costs Rs 15,000 for a vial of 5 gram and the drug needs to be administered based on the weight of children,” he said.