Tackling India’s black fungus crisis

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India is seeing a decline in the second wave of coronavirus infections, but a rare and deadly fungal infection is affecting patients recovering from Covid. India has reported more than 11,000 cases of the black fungus infection, also known as mucormycosis. It has a mortality rate of over 50 per cent, and the drug needed for its treatment is in short supply. Missing a dose can result in removal of tissues or, in serious cases, bones and even the eye. Doctors say there is a link between black fungus and indiscriminate use of steroids to treat Covid patients. Diabetics are said to be particularly at risk. So, what are the treatment challenges, and what is happening to the families of patients faced with the double stress of health and finances? In this edition of WorklifeIndia, we discuss what can be done to tackle India’s black fungus crisis. Presenter: Devina Gupta Contributors: Dr Akshay Nair, oculoplastic surgeon; Dr Ramanan Laxminarayan, founder and director, Centre for Disease Dynamics; Iqra Khalid, lawyer, black fungus patient’s kin