Special ward set up at RIMS to treat black fungus

Kadapa: A special 40-bed ward for black fungus patients has been set up at Regional Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS) here.

Even as corona infections are spreading unabated in the district, those who recovered Covid-19 are facing a new threat in the form of mucormycosis or black fungus, which is causing panic. However, doctors say there is no need to panic and that there is no danger if precautions are taken.

District Collector Chevuru Harikiran said that the black fungus can be easily treated if it is detected early. He advised that people suffering from Coronavirus should not use steroids on their own. Also, blood sugar levels should be carefully monitored during and after the Covid treatment. He called upon the public to take adequate care so that the sugar levels do not rise excessively. Patients with pre-existing diabetes have a higher risk of contracting black fungus if steroid medications are taken even if sugar levels are not under control.

In addition, Covid patients are more likely to be infected with black fungus by consuming steroids even in random doses. Highlighting this, the Collector asked medical officers to monitor the sugar levels of patients at all the Covid hospitals in the district regularly and to use limited doses of steroid drugs. The black fungus, which was initially found only in Gujarat, Delhi and Maharashtra, is detected in the state and most recently in Kadapta district.

As part of taking precautionary measures to check the black fungus infection, a special ward with 40 beds has been set up at RIMS to provide treatment to black fungus victims. The state government has already included black fungus in the list of Aarogyasri medical services.