Protocol For Early Detection Of Black Fungus; Availability Of Medicines, Doctors At Goa Medical Colleges And Hospitals: Plea In Bombay High Court

A plea has been filed in the Bombay High Court, bench at Goa seeking directions for formulating protocol for early detection of black fungus and also for making adequate arrangements for availability of its medicine, doctors and para medical staff at Goa Medical Colleges, Covid Health Centres and 21 Covid Hospitals to combat black fungus.

The plea moved through Advocates Shivan desai, Jatin Ramaiya and J George also seeks directions to make arrangements on an urgent basis for procuring necessary medicines including Amphotericin B vials for the treatment of black fungus.

Additionally, the plea also prays for constitution of export panel to evaluate and study the effect of ivermectin on the Covid-19 infections and potential side effects the medicine shall have on a healthy person.

Moved by Mapusa Advocates Forum having around 400 members, the plea expresses concerns on the lack of protocols for early detection of black fungus in the State and also lack of pediatric facilities in the State of Goa and particularly, at Goa Medical College having "direct co-relation with the inevitable third wave."

Stating that already 6-7 patients have contacted black fungus in Goa, the plea avers thus:

"Owing to peculiar circumstances at hand and issues pertaining to shortage of medical infrastructure to meet the demands of third wave of Covid-19, it would be just, fair and expedient that the Respondent Nos. 1 and 10 constitute an expert body to advise the Respondent No1 to face challenges of the third wave of Covid-19 and the said committee be comprised of reputed and skilled surgeons, pediatricians and medical professionals including nurses both from government sector and the private sector."

The plea makes the following as Respondents: State of Goa, State Disaster Management Authority, Stata Executive Committee, North Goa DDMA, South Goa DDMA, Goa Association of Pediatrics, Association of Private Nursing Homes, Union of India, Directorate of Health Services and Goa Medical College and Hospital.

In view of this, the plea states the following prayers:

- To comprise, constitute and form a panel of expert panel to evaluate and study the effect of ivermectin on the Covid-19 infections and potential side effects the medicine shall have on a healthy person and until such report is received, restrain Respondent Nos. 1 and 9 from administering ivermectin on healthy patients.

- To formulate a protocol for early detection, prevention and treatment of patients suffering from Mucormycosis popularly known as black fungus and provide widest possible circulations of the said protocol amongst Home Isolation Patients, PHCs,CHCs, UHCs, Covid Hospitals and other medical facilities.

- To declare Mucormycosis, popularly known as black fungus, as an epidemic as defined under the Epidemic Diseases Act, 1897.

- To make arrangements for and procure necessary medicines including Amphotericin B vials for the treatment of Mucormycosis, popularly known as black fungus.

- To ensure that adequate medical facilities including availability of adequate staff including doctors,specialists, nurses and other para medical staff and medicines are available at the Goa Medical Colleges,CHCs, UHCs, PHCs and particularly, at 21 Covid Hospitals to combat Mucormycosis, popularly known as black fungus.

- To immediately set up an advisory committee of experts/task force at the State level as well as at the district level to aid and assist the State Government in tackling the impending third wave of Covid-19.

- To ensure that there are adequate numbers of PICU and NICU along general-wards beds dedicated to children and/or minors and dedicated medical facilities along with infrastructure as may be required to meet the requirements which may surge in future owing to the third wave.