Chhattisgarh Prepares Extensively on the COVID Front; Standard Treatment Protocols Issued for Mucormycosis

Raipur: As the country continues to fight the COVID-19 pandemic, the growing number of Black Fungus cases across the country has become a big cause of concern for the states. 

In view of these conditions, the Chhattisgarh State health department has issued standard treatment protocols recommended by experts. The citizens of the state can procure treatment for the COVID-triggered Infection at all medical colleges of the state. 

Sources reveal the humidifier on the oxygen cylinder is attributed to the spread of the infection. The use of humidifiers without changing the plain water has increased the risk of transmission. To avoid this spread either the plain water needs to be replenished every 24 hours or replaced with saline or distilled water. Hospital staff reports difficulty in monitoring each humidifier due to the imbalanced staff to patient ratio. The state recently recorded its first mortality due to mucormycosis in Bhilai. Currently, Ambedkar Hospital is treating 40 patients of the fungal infection.

 Dr Santosh Patel, Associate Professor of the Ophthalmology department, Ambedkar Hospital said,” Dry oxygen is being used in humidifiers in Ambedkar’s ICU. This does not pose a risk of black fungus. The most common apprehension is the use of uncontrolled diabetes and steroids. Use regular medicine that has high sugar levels.” Dr KrishnaKant Sahu, HOD of Cardiac Surgery ACI asserted,” adding normal water to the humidifier increases the risk of black fungus. This situation comes from not cleaning every day. Many patients do not control diabetes, which increases the risk of fungus. If you get treatment as soon as you see the symptoms, the disease can be cured.”

CM Bhupesh Baghel taking cognizance of the new infection directed all health officials to monitor the availability of essentials required during the treatment.  The drugs Posaconazole and Amphotericin-B (in all forms) are being provided through drug inspectors under the direction of the Food and Drug Administration of Chhattisgarh.