In Jalandhar, two epidemics are wreaking havoc – COVID andBlack Fungus. Till now, in the Jalandhar district, 21 cases of Black Fungushave been reported.
Most of these patients have returned home after gettingwell. However, an eye of one of the patients had to be removed. One morepatient’s vision has been affected.
Four patients are getting treatment in hospitals. All thesepatients have been reported in duration of one-and-a-half months.
As of now, the civil hospital of the district, having beenoptimised for handling COVID, is unable to handle cases of Black Fungus.
Private hospitals of Jalandhar are offering treatment ofBlack Fungus and the patients are getting cured also.
Handa Neuro’s Director Dr Sumesh Handa informed a daily thatthey have been treating Black Fungus from last six months. During this time,they claim that one man of 60 years from Kapurthala lost vision in one eye,which was removed after an operation. Further, within last on month a 45 yearold person from Himachal Pradesh died.
Apex Hospital’s Dr Karanbir Singh claimed that recently a 45year old woman from Gandhi Camp has been admitted. She was diabetic and testsconfirmed her having Black Fungus. The doctors performed operation andcontrolled the disease. The disease has affected her vision.
Patel Hospital’s Dr Shamit Chopra told that within last onemonth ten cases of Black Fungus were suspected. Of these, two were confirmed. DrChopra claims the illness affects brain and eyesight. Diabetic patients aremuch more at risk of Black Fungus. He clarified that the disease itself isquite old, but the COVID epidemic has brought it into spotlight. He claimedthat most of the patients of Black Fungus have recovered and treatment of somewas going on.
Civil Surgeon Dr Balwant singh claimed that as of nowtreatment of Black Fungus is not possible at the Civil Hospital as the hospitalhas been totally transformed to handle COVID.
If patients of Black Fungus approach the Civil Hospital,they are referred to Government Medical College, Amritsar or PGI.
The responsibility of cases of Black Fungus has beenassigned to Department of Health and Family Welfare officer Dr Raman Gupta.
The district administration and senior officers of theHealth Department are keeping watch on the treatment of the patients.
The following hospitals of Jalandhar reported Black Funguscases:
SGL 01
Metro Hospital 01
Sacred Hearts Hospital 02
Patel Hospital 08
NHS Hospital 02
Handa Neuro Hospital 06
Apex Hospital 01