Allocation of Amphotericin-B across the country to combat Mucormycosis. (Photo Courtesy: Union Minister for Chemicals and Fertilisers via PIB)
Kohima, May 22 (MExN): With the “increasing incidence of Mucormycosis (Black Fungus) amongst immune-compromised patients, especially COVID-19 patients on treatment with steroids,” the Nagaland Government noted the “likelihood of the spread of the disease in the State also.”
It stated that “the ordinary provisions of law for the time being in force are insufficient for the purpose to combat the emerging disease” and therefore, notified ‘The Nagaland Epidemic Diseases (Mucormycosis) Regulations 2021’ with immediate effect from May 22.
“Now therefore, in order to reduce morbidity and mortality due to Mucormycosis and on account of its serious nature, in exercise of the powers conferred under Section 2 of the Epidemic Diseases Act 1897, the Governor of Nagaland is pleased to make the following regulations,” a notification issued by Principal Secretary to Government of Nagaland Amardeep S Bhatia on Saturday stated. The regulations will remain valid for a period of one year.
Under the regulations, all the government and private healthcare facilities have been directed to report each suspected and confirmed case of Mucormycosis to the respective Chief Medical Officers (CMOs) on a daily basis in the format prescribed by the Principal Director, Health and Family Welfare (H&FW).
The Chief Medical Officer shall compile and submit the district report to the Principal Director (H&FW) on a daily basis, it added.
All the government and private healthcare facilities shall follow the guidelines for screening, diagnosis, management of Mucormycosis, issued by Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Government of India, Indian Council of Medical Research and Government of Nagaland, and amended from time to time.
In case of deaths due to Mucormycosis, all the government and private healthcare facilities will have to submit complete patient records through the respective CMOs to the Principal Director (H&FW) within 24 hours of the event. The Principal Director (H&FW) may prescribe a format for reporting such deaths, the notification stated.
It also cautioned that no person or institution shall publish or circulate rumours or unauthenticated information regarding COVID-19 through any print or electronic media while adding that all other provisions of the Epidemic Diseases Act, 1897 and its Amendment, 2020 shall be applicable in any matters relating to Mucormycosis infection
No suit or legal proceedings shall lie against any person for anything done or intended to be done in good faith under these regulations, it added.
