PANJIM: The State government on Friday said that there are no deaths directly caused due to mucormycosis, also known as black fungus in COVID-19 patients, in the State so far.
In a statement issued, the government said that as per the Goa Medical College and Hospital (GMC), as on May 25, there are nine active cases of mucormycosis undergoing treatment in the hospital.
If you enjoyed reading this article, you can help support our journalism by adding OHeraldo as a preferred source.
“As per GMC, there is no death directly caused due to mucormycosis. Also, no deaths of mucormycosis have been reported from hospitals under Directorate of Health Services (DHS),” the statement added.
The government said that GMC Dean Dr Shivanand Bandekar has constituted a task force to deal with mucormycosis cases. The Department of ENT of GMC in association with other specialist and super specialist of GMC have prepared a protocol for management of mucormycosis which is based on guidelines published by the Indian Academy of Otorhinolaryngology.
“In order to treat such patients, a special ward No. 102 with 30 bedded capacity has been commissioned for mucormycosis in GMC. Doctors from various broad specialty and super specialty departments have been identified and deputed for the same,” the government said.
The necessary infrastructure for management of mucormycosis including endoscopes and staining facilities is made available. In addition, adequate medicines are in stock and additional orders have also been placed, it added.
The State government on Thursday declared mucormycosis as notified diseases under Public Health Act, as per which, all the private hospitals too will have to report cases related to black fungus and deaths if any.
Further, the government said that two Pressure Swing Adsorption (PSA) oxygen generation plant have been requested under Prime Minister Care Fund for COVID-19 management. A plant of 1000 LPM each would be set up at North District Hospital, Mapusa and ESI Hospital, Margao. The plants are expected to arrive by June 7.
The government has also ruled out manpower shortage for handling COVID-19 situation in the hospitals.
