Pediatrics is the branch of medicine that involves the medical care of infants, children, and adolescents. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends people are under pediatric care up to the age of 21. A medical doctor who specializes in this area is known as a pediatrician or pediatrician.

With a view to filling the void of a complete Pediatric Care Establishment in South Mumbai, Dr. Suresh Shah has started SPARSH CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL as a comprehensive care unit. He has experience of 28 years. Dr. Suresh is actively involved in multiple Community and Social Projects to help underprivileged children in Society. He regularly organizes Pediatric Health Camps in the interior villages of Rajasthan with a dedicated team of Doctors and provides clinical diagnosis and free medicines to the needy. On the occasion of Doctor’s day, he spells out his way of handling children who come for a checkup or vaccination.

Vaccinations during this pandemic

Children are precious and valuable to their parents and vaccination is important to help the kids maintain good health and remain safe from various diseases. But due to this pandemic, many parents are hesitant to vaccinate their children due to the fear of getting infected.

Dr. Suresh throws light on this issue and explains that “Yes the parents are apprehensive about vaccination during these times of pandemic. However, we need to emphasize the importance of vaccination especially essential vaccines and explain to them the safety precautions taken in the vaccination clinic, and mostly the parents are convinced.” He speaks about his ways of keeping the child entertained while vaccinating them, “The experience of vaccination to a kid in a clinic must be made pleasurable. Good ambiance, some props, stories, cartoon videos playing on the TV, would certainly make them less fearful and more receptive,” he says.

BCG vaccine is seen as a new hope for COVID-19

Dr. Suresh confirms that there were few reports earlier on about the benefit of BCG vaccination. “Various mechanisms have been postulated, most important being the activation of cell-mediated immunity which protects against COVID. However, it is not a standard practice to give BCG as a protective strategy against COVID. However this could be the reason that we have the less virulent type of COVID diseases in India as we give BCG universally to all the kids,” he says.

Huge impact on Indian healthcare due to COVID

Dr. Suresh affirms that there has been a huge impact on the Indian Healthcare system due to COVID. “It has changed the whole economics of the healthcare industry. On one end it has exposed the inadequate healthcare infrastructure in the government setup and overburdened and overwhelmed the private sector and on the other side, made it difficult for the medium and small-sized healthcare to survive,” he says.

Impact of being home-bound on kids

Due to schools, playgrounds, and other activity centers being closed due to the pandemic, kids are locked inside their homes, ensuring the good physical and mental health of the child is important.

“Yes, it will have a huge impact on the psychological impact on children staying at home as they don't have any outdoor activities and lot of exposure to electronic media. They should be engaged in positive indoor activities like reading, writing, playing board games, spending family time, etc,” he says.

Kids are brave

A pediatrician needs to be close to the child and sometimes even pacify the crying and scared kids with their facial expressions. But as per the New Normal, they have to wear protective gears like masks, gloves and maintain physical distancing which might lead to worry, anxiety, and fear amongst the children to which Dr. Suresh says otherwise, “On the contrary, they tend to enjoy and are less fearful with PPE suits and all the gears. However you can show them some video showing harmful coronavirus as an enemy in animated form which will allay their anxiety,” he says.

(Edited By Rabia Mistry)