Shazneen Mistry
The death toll due to the Covid-19 pandemic is mounting every day. Maharashtra is one of the most severely affected states in India with many children losing at least one parent to the pandemic. Nearly 490 children have become orphans as per data compiled by the Department of Women and Child Development (WCD), Government of Maharashtra.
The death rate is higher among men as more of them have contracted the infection. This has also been reflected in WCD’s data. A total of 13,540 fathers have died, while 1,763 mothers have succumbed to the infection in the state.
These are not isolated stories, as the pandemic has devastated families across the state, orphaning many children including 267 males and 223 female children losing their parents. The state recorded its highest number of covid deaths in the second wave which started in mid-February.
The Union Health Minister released a survey report that showed that though the prevalence was seen more in women which leads to a higher rate of infection among women, the death rate is more among men. The hospitals have witnessed a higher fatality rate among men, which can be attributed to various reasons. Pune and Nagpur districts have 21 orphan children each — the highest in the state, followed by Thane and Solapur districts with 15 children. These districts have recorded the highest number of Covid-19 cases, especially in the second wave.
To ensure that the orphaned children were not trafficked or illegally adopted, the Supreme Court asked the state to constitute dedicated task forces in each district to identify such children and to protect them. Women and child welfare officials have reached out to families that reported Covid-19 deaths and provided counseling, legal and financial aid to them. The process of enrolling orphaned children, whose extended family members are not able to look after them, is going on.
The WCD has taken full responsibility for the further studies of the orphaned children for which technological support in the form of laptops and android phones have been provided to them. Rupees five lakh has been announced for these children which are currently in fixed deposit till the child turns 18. Until then, financial aid will be given to children under Balsangopan Yojana, while the children in the custody of relatives are given financial assistance of rupees one thousand, one hundred and twenty-five per month under the Bal Sangopan scheme.
The WCD has requested the public to refrain from circulating messages on social media about adopting children who have been orphaned due to Covid-19, as such messages led to ‘unauthorized’ adoption which could lead to child trafficking. “There are due processes that need to be followed for adoption. If anyone wants to adopt such an orphan child, they need to contact us,” said the head of the WCD department.
