INDIAN ACADEMY OF PEDIATRICS

PEDIATRIC HEMATOLOGY & ONCOLOGY CHAPTER

Regd. Office: Kailas Darshan, Kennedy Bridge, (Nana Chowk), Mumbai 400007 (India)
Society Regn. No. 1828/2006 200 GBBSD Maharashtra State, Mumbai

Chairperson
Dr. Mamta Manglani, Mumbai
Hon. Secretary
Dr. Sunil Bhat, Bangalore
Treasurer
Dr. Gaurav Kharya, Gurugram
Joint Treasurer
Dr. Maya Prasad, Mumbai
Immediate Past Chairperson
Dr. Gauri Kapoor, New Delhi
Chairperson Elect
Dr. Amita Trehan, Chandigarh
National Co-ordinator: NTP - PPO
Dr. Satyendra Katewa, Jaipur
National Co-ordinator: NTP- PPH
Dr. Shruti Kakkar, Ludhiana
INPOG Chairperson
Dr. Shripad Banavali, Mumbai
INPOG Co-Chairperson
Dr. Revathi Raj, Chennai
PHO Journal Editor
Dr. (Surg Cdr) G. Narula, Mumbai
Webmaster
Dr. Nita Radhakrishnan, New Delhi
Executive Committee Members (Zones)
Dr. Sirisha Rani (C), Hyderabad
Dr. Ratna Sharma (W), Mumbai
Dr. Nishant Verma (N), Lucknow
Dr. Manjusha Nair (S), Trivandrum
Dr. Arpita Bhattacharyya (E), Kolkata
Correspondence:
Dr. Sunil Bhat
Corona virus advisory for pediatric blood diseases and cancer patients
The novel corona virus is a highly contagious new viral infection (COVID 19) that
is spreading worldwide since December 2019. Although mortality is children is
very low, children with chronic diseases and immune compromised status may
be affected adversely. In view of this, the Pediatric Hematology Oncology
chapter of Indian Academy of Pediatrics would like to provide this information
to all children and families being treated for chronic blood diseases and cancers
in our country. There is no vaccine currently to prevent this infection. So the best
way is to prevent this infection by avoiding exposure.
Protect yourselves
Most of these preventive measures are already being practised by our patient
families and can go a long way in controlling the outbreak.
1. Practice social distancing.
2. Wash your hands for 20 seconds at least as often as possible with soap
and water. Antiseptic hand rub (with at least 60% alcohol) maybe also
used if soap and water is not available.
3. Practice cough etiquette.
4. Avoid touching eyes, nose, mouth frequently. It is difficult to make
children understand this. So keep washing their hands frequently.
5. Clean frequently touched objects at home with antiseptic solution. This
includes phone screen, door knobs, toilets, sinks, bed railings, toys etc.
6. Avoid crowded areas and sick people. No travel to places of worship,
malls, shops, family functions, marriages, schools during this period.
7. Face mask may be used if you have fever, cough or difficulty in breathing.
Masks are not needed for others who are not sick. Disposable masks
should never be reused. Wash your hands after removing the mask.
8. If there a sick person at home, stay away from that person in a different
room and DO NOT touch any items that may have been in contact with
this sick person.

Hon. Secretary, PHO Chapter of IAP

Director and Clinical Lead
Pediatric Hematology, Oncology
and Blood & Marrow Transplantation
Mazumdar Shaw Cancer Centre,
Narayana Health City Bangalore, India

Phone: 9538965968
Email: secy.pho@gmail.com

PEDIATRIC HEMATOLOGY & ONCOLOGY CHAPTER
Regd. Office: Kailas Darshan, Kennedy Bridge, (Nana Chowk), Mumbai 400007 (India)
Chairperson
Dr. Mamta Manglani, Mumbai
Hon. Secretary
Dr. Sunil Bhat, Bangalore
Treasurer
Dr. Gaurav Kharya, Gurugram
Joint Treasurer
Dr. Maya Prasad, Mumbai
Immediate Past Chairperson
Dr. Gauri Kapoor, New Delhi
Chairperson Elect
Dr. Amita Trehan, Chandigarh
National Co-ordinator: NTP - PPO
Dr. Satyendra Katewa, Jaipur
National Co-ordinator: NTP- PPH
Dr. Shruti Kakkar, Ludhiana
INPOG Chairperson
Dr. Shripad Banavali, Mumbai
INPOG Co-Chairperson
Dr. Revathi Raj, Chennai
PHO Journal Editor
Dr. (Surg Cdr) G. Narula, Mumbai
Webmaster
Dr. Nita Radhakrishnan, New Delhi
Executive Committee Members (Zones)
Dr. Sirisha Rani (C), Hyderabad
Dr. Ratna Sharma (W), Mumbai
Dr. Nishant Verma (N), Lucknow
Dr. Manjusha Nair (S), Trivandrum
Dr. Arpita Bhattacharyya (E), Kolkata
Correspondence:
Dr. Sunil Bhat
Hon. Secretary, PHO Chapter of IAP
Director and Clinical Lead
Pediatric Hematology, Oncology
and Blood & Marrow Transplantation
Mazumdar Shaw Cancer Centre,
Narayana Health City Bangalore, India
Phone: 9538965968
Email: secy.pho@gmail.com
INDIAN ACADEMY OF PEDIATRICS
Society Regn. No. 1828/2006 200 GBBSD Maharashtra State, Mumbai
Hospital visits
1. Avoid travel as much as possible.
2. Travel to hospital only in case of an emergency or for hospital visits advised
by your treating team.
3. Patients on maintenance treatment, on oral chemotherapy and who have
completed treatment can contact the treating center on phone and wait till
further instructions for the next visit.
4. Thalassemia patients may visit for routine blood transfusions. If there is a
hospital near to your home, the next few transfusions may be taken there
to avoid travel to your main center. As there is a shortage of donations,
please confirm availability of blood before reporting to the center.
5. If you are using public transport, sit as far as possible from other people and
use a mask while traveling.
6. Only one healthy relative should accompany the child to the hospital. Carry
hand sanitizer and wear face mask during hospital visit.
7. In the waiting area, maintain distance from other patients and relatives as
much as possible.
Report yourselves
1. If you are suffering from fever, cough, cold or difficulty in breathing, report
yourselves to your treating team. They will make arrangements for you to
be tested for SARS-COV-2 at the nearest facility and for treatment if
needed.
2. If you have been in contact with a person who has been diagnosed with
COVID or a person who has travelled from abroad and has been self-
quarantined, inform your treating team.
Get correct information
1. Do not blindly believe or follow information that is forwarded on social
media.
2. Speak to your treating team for correct medical information regarding this
infection.
3. Follow https://www.mohfw.gov.in/ or
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html or your
respective state health department advisory for more information.