Amid rising cases of mucormycosis during the second wave of COVID-19, over 100 ENT surgeons across the state will be trained to perform debridement surgeries on those patients who need an aggressive operation to remove the fungal growth followed by antifungal treatment.
Members of the Maharashtra task force have also recommended the use of sterile water in the oxygen humidifier flasks used in ICUs and its frequent sterilisation to arrest any fungal growth.
In a bid to curb the rise in cases of ‘black fungus’, Maharashtra CM Uddhav Thackeray and Covid task force members in a virtual conference discussed the issue on Sunday, May 16. The meeting was also attended by thousands of doctors across the state.
Speaking at the event, Thane-based ENT surgeon Dr Ashesh Bhumkar committed to helping surgeons upskill to tackle the infection. Maharashtra has around 1,500-2,000 cases of invasive fungal infection in Covid patients.
He also added that in a week’s time an army of ENT surgeons, who would know how to effectively operate on mucormycosis, will be formed. The surgery is known to them, but it requires an aggressive approach.
He urged the CM to ensure an adequate supply of antifungal drug Amphotericin B. The state has floated a tender for one lakh vials of the drug.
Taskforce member Dr Shashank Joshi said mucormycosis is a fallout of high sugar levels, elevated either because of Covid itself or the steroids prescribed and a fall in immunity. With the rise in sugar levels, there is abundant iron in the blood for the fungus to feed upon. Rationing the use of steroids can check such infections, he said.
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