Mucormycosis will be treated for free under health scheme: Tope

With cases of black fungus or Mucormycosis being detected in the state, Maharashtra Health Minister Rajesh Tope has said that the treatment for the same will be provided free of cost under the state's Mahatma Phule Public Health Scheme.

Mumbai: Mucormycosis, a serious fungal infection being detected hugely in some districts in the state will be treated under the Mahatma Phule Public Health Scheme, said Maharashtra Health Minister Rajesh Tope, assuring that the health department will be taking up an awareness campaign about the infection.

Corona patients who have diabetes are mainly being infected with mucormycosis. A black dot is seen near the nose or near the lips in this type of infection. It is seen that the infection goes undetected for a long time and it seriously affects breathing, brain and eyes, said Tope.

In order to speed up detection and diagnosis of the infection, awareness will be created among the people, he added. The treatment and medicines for mucormycosis are expensive and thus unaffordable for many. Therefore it will be included under Mahatma Phule Public Health Scheme and will be treated for free in 1000 hospitals under this scheme, he said.

Admitting that there were complaints about the injection on mucormycosis being sold at an inflated price, Tope assured to take action against those involved in black marketing and prices will be brought under control.

He appealed to the people not to panic and advised those with diabetes to keep it under check with regular exercise, proper diet and treatment.