Maharashtra Health Minister Rajesh Tope on Wednesday, May 19, said that there are at least 1,500 COVID-19 patients suffering from black fungus also known as Mucormycosis in the state. Furthermore, as many as 90 people have lost their lives battling this infection in the state.
While speaking to the media on May 11, Tope had mentioned that this fungus has a 50 per cent mortality rate. He had also mentioned at that time there could be more than 2,000 cases in the state.
In another key development, all hospitals enrolled under the Mahatma Jyotiba Phule Jan Arogya Yojana have been ordered to treat black fungus patients for free even if the cost crosses the insurance scheme's ceiling price of INR 1.5 lakh.
Moreover, while addressing media, Tope stated that Maharashtra has received only 15,000-16,000 vials of the aforesaid drug as against the order of 2 lakh vials.
Maharashtra CM Uddhav Thackeray will urge the Centre to swiftly allocate more Amphotericin B vials in the video conference with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday, May 20, Tope added. He also stated that the next 10 days are crucial and the state may face a shortage. The Centre must direct companies to supply the drug to us.
“We ordered 2 lakh vials (of Amphotericin B) but have received 15,000-16,000 so far. In tomorrow's video conference with PM, CM Uddhav Thackeray will discuss allotment work, as there's high demand for vials. Otherwise, it will be difficult to treat patients,” added Rajesh Tope.
We ordered 2 lakh vials (of Amphotericin B) but have received 15,000-16,000 so far. In tomorrow's VC with PM, CM Uddhav Thackeray will discuss allotment work, as there's high demand for vials. Otherwise, it will be difficult to treat patients: Rajesh Tope, Maharashtra Health Min
— ANI (@ANI) May 19, 2021
Tope revealed that the state government has issued a global tender for Amphotericin B vials required to treat black fungus.
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