New Delhi: With the outbreak of corona in the country, the menace of black fungus is also on the rise. Expressing concern over the rise in mucomyosis (black fungus) cases in the country and alleged shortage of essential medicines, Interim Congress President Sonia Gandhi on Saturday requested PM Narendra Modi to take immediate necessary steps to provide relief to patients with the disease.

She also mentioned in a letter to PM Modi that the Centre has asked states to declare black fungus as an epidemic. Sonia said in the letter that declaring an epidemic means that adequate production and supply of essential medicines is necessary to treat it and patients should be taken care of free of cost. Sonia Gandhi emphasized that amphotericin-B is a medicine required to treat the disease. However, there are reports that there is a huge shortage of this medicine in the market. At the same time, the disease is not covered under Ayushman Bharat and many other insurances.

Sonia urged PM Modi to take immediate steps to provide relief to a large number of patients affected by black fungus. On the other hand, the Union Health Ministry on Friday said that five more companies have been licensed for the production of anfotericin-B, a drug used to treat the disease mucomyosis caused by black fungus, and will start producing 1,11,000 vials of the drug every month from July.

Arun Vijay's fun with his pet dog

Black fungus declared epidemic in MP, patients to be treated free of cost in hospitals

Modi govt's big gift to 1.5 crore central government workers, increased variable DA