Over 23,000 more amphotericin vials allocated by the Central govt
(Asian News Hub) – India has so far reported approximately 8,848 cases of mucormycosis or black fungus, one of the rapidly spreading infections observed in those recovering from COVID-19.
Taking note of the increasing numbers, the Central government has emphasised upon expediting the allocation of vials of amphotericin-B, a key drug to treat raging mucormycosis.
In this direction, the Union minister of chemicals and fertilisers DV Sadananda Gowda has announced an allocation of 23,680 additional vials of Amphotericin-B.
The minister also informed that the allocation has been made based on total number of patients which is approximately 8,848 across the country.
Gujarat (5,800) and Maharashtra (5,090) have been allocated the maximum number of the additional Amphotericin-B vials followed by Andhra Pradesh (2,310), Madhya Pradesh (1,830), Rajasthan (1,780), Karnataka (1,270).
Mucormycosis is a serious but rare fungal infection caused by a group of molds called mucormycetes that has been developing in COVID-19 patients.
Black fungus claims 100 lives in Maha: Tope
As with the COVID-19 scourge, Maharashtra leads in the number of deaths and cases of the dreaded dark cousin of coronavirus — mucormycosis, or commonly known as ‘black fungus’.
After the first case was detected in third week of April, the state has now recorded a staggering 1,500 mucormycosis infections till date, said health minister Rajesh Tope.
“Of the 1,500 cases, there have been 100 deaths till now On May 21,we have declared it as a Notifiable Disease under the Epidemic Diseases Act, making it compulsory to report each case of the Black Fungus to the state health department,” Tope said. IANS
Sonia writes to PM over scarcity of drugs
After the government asked the states to declare mucormycosis an epidemic, Congress Parliamentary party (CPP) chairperson Sonia Gandhi on Saturday wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the scarcity of Liposomal Amphotericin-B injection and the disease not being covered under Ayushman Bharat scheme.
In a letter, Sonia Gandhi said, “The government has asked the states to declare mucormycosis an epidemic under the Epidemic Diseases Act. This means that there must be adequate production and assured supply of essential medicines to treat it.”
IANS
