Black fungus: Karnataka Min warns hospitals against denying treatment

Health Minister Dr Sudhakar said that a government order will be passed to ensure that patients of black fungus are not rejected by hospitals.
Dr Sudhakar addressing a press conference
Dr Sudhakar addressing a press conference
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Karnataka Health Minister Dr K Sudhakar on May 20 said Mucormycosis or black fungus infection is now a notifiable disease and no hospital or medical centre having the capacity to provide treatment should deny admission to patients. He said an official government order towards this will be notified soon. Sudhakar, who is also in-charge of the Medical Education Department portfolio in a series of tweets said the treatment of post-covid Mucormycosis or black fungus found in some cases requires multidisciplinary approach involving ENT specialists, anaesthetists, ophthalmologists and maxillofacial surgeons.

“Since all these specialist doctors are available in our District Hospitals and Government Medical Colleges, people can avail treatment for Mucormycosis in these hospitals apart from Bowring Hospital in Bengaluru and other designated regional hospitals,” he added. Meanwhile, Deputy Chief Minister Dr CN Ashwath Narayan too said black fungus cases must be brought to the notice of the government authorities, as it is a notifiable disease.

"Government is providing treatment for black fungus in all the six division centers of the state and Mysuru Medical College will be providing the treatment in this region. Apart from this, the treatment is available in private hospitals also," he was quoted as saying by his office in Mysuru.

The Deputy CM, who also heads the state's COVID task force said the drug required to treat black fungus is at present being imported and now a few companies have come forward to manufacture it here itself. "Once the production begins here, it would resolve the issue of shortage of the drug," he said.

Earlier this week, Dr Sudhakar had announced that an expert panel has been set up to study the black fungus (Mucormycosis) in the state. He said that the panel will submit a report on the black fungus and recommendations on how to curb its spread. 

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