From Our Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network

Bengaluru, May 22: Health and Family Welfare Minister Dr K Sudhakar said the Experts Committee of Micrologists appointed by the State Government to suggest measures to check the spread of Mucous Microsys or Black Fungus infections among Covid patients has recommended several steps to prevent the spread of the disease, which are being implemented by the State Government.

Dr Sudhakar, who visited Hubballi-Dharwad and Haveri districts and reviewed the Covid management situation and the availability of the medical treatment facilities in the hospitals, told reporters in KIMS Hospital at Hubballi that among the steps recommended by the Expert Committee in its preliminary report are compulsory use of distilled water in the humidifiers in the hospitals and discontinue the use of tap water in many of the hospitals as it was one of the main reasons for the growth of the fungus.

In addition, the cannulas and other equipment used in the ICUs were also found to be the cause of breeding of the fungus. If the same cannulas or medical equipment were to be re-used in the ICUs, they must be fully satisfied before usage on other patients. Alternatively, fresh equipment must be used, the committee said.

“We are taking necessary steps to implement all the suggestions as precautionary measures to check the spread of the black fungus,’’ the minister said.

Earlier, he visited the district hospital and the construction site of the new hospital along with Home and Law Minister Basavaraj Bommai, who is also the district in-charge minister for Dharwad, Urban Development Minister Byarathi Basavarju, MP Shivakumar Udasi and other legislators.

Dr Sudhakar explained that there was no difference between black and white funguses except the colour. Indiscriminate use of steroids results in increasing the blood sugar in the patients. As patients depending on oxygen ventilators are normally kept in ICUs for a longer time, their immunity levels will decrease considerably and they are likely to be affected by the fungus.

While about 40 to 50 cases of black fungus used to be reported in the country, the surge in infections in the Second Wave of Covid has resulted in sharp increase in the numbers and there is information about 250 such cases of black fungus infections in the State, the Minister said pointing out that the State Government has decided to provide free treatment in government hospitals to all persons infected with black fungus.

The Health Minister mentioned that the country was producing 14,000 vials of the injections necessary for treating black fungus infections. The Centre has promised to supply the necessary medicines to the State as per an assurance given by Union Pharmaceuticals and Chemicals Minister D V Sadananda Gowda. Answering questions, he said all medical and para-medical personnel as well as Group D employees will be provided with special allowances for emergency medical duty.

He directed the KIMS Director Ramalingappa Antararani and other medical doctors at the hospital to strictly follow the roster duty system so as to ensure availability of doctors at all times.

Dharwad Deputy Commissioner Nitesh Patil, Zilla Panchayat Chief Executive Officer Dr B Sushila, KIMS Administrative Officer Rajashri Jainapuru, Medical Supervisor Dr Arun Kumar and MLA Aravind Bellad were present.

High Mortality Rate in Haveri is worrying

During his visit to the Haveri District Hospital, the Health Minister expressed concern over the high mortality rate in the district despite lesser number of Covid infected patients. The high mortality rate in Haveri district as compared to other districts was a matter of serious concern, he said.

Dr Sudhakar said the Covid positive patients must be immediately admitted in the Covid Care Centres immediately after testing positive. The district has 1,836 Covid positive cases, of whom 613 were under Home Isolation.

He asked the district administration to take immediate steps to shift the Covid positive cases to the Covid Care Centres for providing necessary treatment. The 3T formula of testing, tracking and treatment must be followed to bring down the high mortality rates.

Dr Sudhakar wanted oxygen concentrators and medicines must be provided to the Covid patients and immediate steps must be taken to repair the ventilators.

As many as 22 oxygen ventilators in the Haveri district hospital were found to be non-functional while 4 out of the 5 ventilators in the taluk hospital were not working. This must be rectified forthwith, he said promising to ensure that the shortage of experts and doctors in the districts will be set right within a week.

The minister wanted the district administration to take immediate steps to solve the problems on the availability of oxygen and repair of the non-working ventilators. The district needs to ensure proper arrangements for vaccination of the eligible persons, he said directing that oxygen audits must be conducted to prevent wastage and ensure proper use.