Decide On Free Treatment To Mucormycosis Patients : Karnataka High Court To State

A division bench of Chief Justice Abhay Oka and Justice Aravind Kumar said "The State government has described mucormycosis as covid associated diseases. Thus, patients who suffer from Covid-19 are getting infected with mucormycosis. It is therefore necessary for the state to ensure that in all public hospitals the requisite number of beds are kept reserved for patients with mucormycosis. State will also have to take decision on extending free treatment to persons suffering with black fungus who get admitted to public hospitals."

The court added "State to take immediate decision on these two aspects so that number of patients will be benefitted. As noted earlier, cases in the state are steadily increasing and thus the state should take decision by Monday."

The state government in its written submission informed the court that as of June 17, a total of 2817 patients suffered from the disease. Of which 2304 patients were under treatment and 217 people had died.

To which the court said "The fatality rate for the said diseases appears to be higher side, thus it is all the more necessary for state and local bodies like the BBMP to start awareness campaign for making patients who are infected with Covid-19 aware about the said diseases (Black Fungus) and nature and extent of the said diseases. As the state itself has described the diseases as covid-associated state will have to consider ensuring preventive measures are taken by covid-19 hospitals." It added "After taking decisions for reserving beds, the state will have to publish information about availability of beds for treating mucormycosis."

During the hearing it was brought to the notice of the court on behalf of the patient that he was spending around Rs 70,000 per day for providing treatment for Black fungus to his father who is admitted to a private hospital. He claimed in a letter written to the court that till now around Rs 10 lakh has been spent by him and there is need for providing free treatment in public hospitals.

Do not dismantle facilities created to treat Covid-19.

Additional Advocate General Dhyan Chinnappa informed the court that the expert committee constituted by the state government to suggest measures to deal with possible third wave of covid-19 is yet to submit its report.

Following which the court said "Across the state covid-19 centers were established for meeting demand of large numbers of infections which were seen during the second wave. State shall consider issuing directions to all concerned authorities that till the vision statement of the state government is not ready the facilities should not be dismantled. Though the same can be kept closed if there is no patient in the facility."