Evolve strategy on black fungus, says Adityanath
LUCKNOW : Chief minister Yogi Adityanath on Wednesday asked officials to take steps for the prevention and treatment of the black fungus disease (mucormycosis) amid reports that some cases had surfaced among Covid-19 patients in UP.
“Consult the state’s expert medical panel and evolve a strategy for the prevention and treatment of black fungus,” he said at the Covid review meeting with Team-9.
He also asked the Team-9 for starting the Covid vaccination registration process at common service centres (CSCs) across cities and rural areas for the illiterate, divyangs (special persons), destitute and other people who cannot register themselves on the CoWIN portal.
About black fungus, he said, “The additional chief secretary (health) and the principal secretary (medical education) should consult the expert medical panel (formed by the UP government on Covid-19) and then prepare a detailed report for preventing black fungus, caution and safety, and the line of treatment. The report should be submitted to the CM’s office.”
After Maharashtra and Gujarat, the potentially fatal and rare black fungus infection was
detected in some Covid-19 patients in Meerut, Lucknow and Prayagraj in Uttar Pradesh on Tuesday and Wednesday.
The central government-run Indian Council of Medical
Research (ICMR) has said that doctors treating Covid-19 patients, diabetics and those with compromised immune systems should watch for early symptoms, including sinus pain or nasal blockage on one side of the face, one-sided headache, swelling or numbness, toothache and loosening of teeth.
On May 3, the state government had announced its decision to form a 14-member medical expert panel to advise the state government on Covid-19 safety, prevention, and treatment in the state. The experts were drawn from the top medical institutes in the state. The panel is headed by Prof RK Dhiman, the director of Sanajay Gandhi Post Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences (SGPGIMS), Lucknow.
About the vaccination registration at common service centres, the chief minister said, “There is a need to make special arrangements for vaccination so that none is left out in the Covid vaccination.
So, also start registration at common service centres (CSCs) for illiterates, divyangs, destitutes and other needy persons. Also make sure that there is no unnecessary crowding at the centres and Covid protocols are followed.”
Explaining the idea, a state government official said: “Such people generally may not be able to register themselves on CoWIN portal.
So the CSCs, using their computer and network setup, would do their registration on the portal by getting requisite details from those potential beneficiaries.”
The chief minister also said Covid vaccination was going on smoothly in the state.
“The state continues to be the top among all in the country regarding vaccination for both 18+ age group and 45+ age group. The state has so far administered 2.16 lakh doses to 18+ age group persons (in 18 districts) and overall 1.4 crore doses.” He said that a total of 49,744 18+ persons were vaccinated in the last 24 hours.