By Bishnu Pandey, Kathmandu, June 28: Warning of the potential third wave of the pandemic where children could be at a higher risk, the Ministry of Health and Population (MoHP) had directed all government and private hospitals to separate 20 per cent of their hospital beds for children a few weeks earlier.

Following the Health Ministry's directive, various hospitals in the Valley have been striving to manage beds, ventilators, and ICUs for children.

Considering the risk of the third wave, COVID-19 Unified Hospital established in Bir Hospital has already separated beds for the treatment of virus-infected children.

"Being a COVID-19 dedicated hospital, we are at high alert regarding the third wave and its possible impact on children. A total of 20 per cent of hospital beds have been separated for children," said Dr. Jageshwor Gautam, chief of the COVID-19 Unified Hospital.

Dr. Gautam said, "We hope that the children aren’t affected by the virus in the third wave. However, the hospital is ready and prepared to face the third wave."

Similarly, HAMS hospital is also currently making arrangements to manage beds for COVID-19 patients. Ram Acharya, CEO of the hospital said, "We have created a special team to fight the third wave by providing special care to children."

The Norvic International Hospital has also completed its preparations as directed by the government. "We have separated more beds than the government had ordered for the treatment of COVID-19 patients as the third wave could hit us at any time," said Somnath Bastola, spokesperson of the Hospital.

He said that the ICU, ventilator, and general beds were readied and necessary training was also provided to the child specialist doctors.

Moreover, Grande International Hospital informed that preparations were underway to allocate beds for the treatment of virus-infected children. "Be it for the third wave or at present, we are always ready to provide service to our patients," said the hospital administration.

Similarly, Om Hospital also informed that the beds had been separated as per the government's directive.