From Our Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network
Bengaluru, Jun 5: Health and Family Welfare Minister Dr K Sudhakar said the State Government was thinking of capping the price for treatment of black fungus cases in private hospitals while it was free in all government hospitals in the State.
Dr Sudhakar, who is also the Medical Education Minister, was speaking to media after visiting the CV Raman General Hospital and Epidemic Diseases Hospital in Bengaluru on Saturday.
“There is no shortage of medicine for treatment of black fungus. Centre has allocated more than 1000 vials. Black fungus patients get free treatment in all government hospital. Govt is also thinking to cap the price of treatment in private hospitals,’’ he said.
As many as 1,784 cases of black fungus have been reported in the State and 62 have recovered. Sufficient medicine had been allocated to state, said Dr Sudhakar.
About 1,564 people are being treated for black fungus in the State. About 2 to 3 weeks of treatment is necessary and it takes about 5 to 6 weeks for complete recovery. 62 people have recovered and unfortunately 111 people have lost their lives due to black fungus, said minister.
He said 9,750 vials of Amphotericin B drug used for treatment of black fungus has been allocated to Karnataka by the Centre. As many as 8,860 vials have been received on Friday. So far we have received 18,650 vials, of which 8,860 vials have been used by government hospitals and 9,740 vials have been provided to private hospitals.
The minister said many lower middle-class and low income people are coming to government hospitals for treatment of black fungus and free treatment is being provided in all government hospitals and medical colleges.
The Chief Minister has announced that treatment cost will be borne by the State Government. It costs Rs 2 to 3 lakh for every person.
The State Government is also considering to include it in ABArK scheme, he said.
Vaccines for 70 to 75 lakh persons in June
The minister said about 70 to 75 lakh people will be provided vaccine in this month.
About 1.5 crore doses have been administered in the State so far. By the end of June, about 2.25 crore people would have received at least one dose of vaccine in the State. Everyone will be vaccinated soon, he added.
The minister said 100 ICU beds are being set up through CSR initiatives and 77 beds will come up at CV Raman General Hospital and another 24 ICU beds will come up at Epidemic Diseases Hospital.
A 1000 LPM oxygen generator unit allocated through PM Cares Fund is being installed at CV Raman General Hospital. These will be inaugurated by Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa on Monday.
The demand for beds has come down in Bengaluru as cases gave reduced. However government will continue to ramp up infrastructure to ensure preparedness for future waves, said Minister.
Post-Covid centres are being set up in hospitals to ensure monitoring of post-Covid complications and treatment. Doctors are also being trained about post-Covid complications.
Not everyone who recovered from Covid will have complications. Only those who were administered with high dosage of steroid and underwent prolonged ICU treatment may face complications. But all these can be treated and cured, he added.
Second Wave may subdue by this month
The Covid second wave may subdue in State by end of June. But we need to continue to follow precautions, Dr Sudhakar said.
Although the hepatitis-b vaccine was found in 1982, it was introduced in India only in 2002. So it took 20 years for India to get hepatitis-b vaccine.
“But we have got home grown vaccine within one year for Covid. If opposition parties still politicise vaccination, people will teach them a lesson,’’ he said.