The Women and Child Development Department is setting up platforms to protect children who have lost one or both parents during the COVID-19 pandemic across the State. It has urged people to bring such cases to the notice of Makkala Sahayavani on 1098.
Karnataka has decided to identify a close relative of the affected child as a “fit person” under the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015, to hand over the child for care on a temporary basis. This is being done to ensure a family atmosphere for the child, Women and Child Development Minister Shashikala Jolle told presspersons on Tuesday. “The government will be taking up the responsibility of caring for and rehabilitating children aged up to 18,” she said.
For the long-term care of the child, the government will facilitate an adoption process among blood relatives or close relatives in the family, as per the norms under the Adoption Regulations, 2017. If no relative comes forward, the child/children would be given up for adoption through CARINGS and as per the regulations under the Juvenile Justice Act and the Adoption Regulations.
For children aged up to six who have been affected by COVID-19, quarantine facilities and temporary care facilities are being set up at adoption centres across 30 districts, the Minister said. For children in the age group of 7-18, quarantine and temporary care will be offered at identified facilities in each district.
Special paediatric care
In an effort to provide medical care to COVID-affected children, paediatric care centres will be set up in all districts and serious cases will be referred to the paediatric wards in the district and taluk general hospitals, said Women and Child Development Minister Shashikala Jolle.
