Published on May 15, 2021
AHMEDABAD: Severe shortage of Liposomal Amphotericin B across Gujarat has resulted in a rush of mucormycosis patients to the Civil Hospital. Sources close to the development said that the number of patients has doubled in five days, prompting the authorities to add another ward to accommodate new patients.
“As on Friday evening, we have 298 patients admitted for mucormycosis. Due to increase in cases, we have dedicated six wards on fourth floor of the 1,200-bed Covid hospital for the fungal infection,” said Dr J P Modi, medical superintendent of Civil Hospital. “We have patients from across Gujarat and even from states such as Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh.”
Officials said that about 20% of the patients admitted are from Ahmedabad city.
Civil Hospital officials said that the primary reason for the rush is scarce medical supply. “Patients are hoping to get uninterrupted supply of medication which is now getting scarce by the day. The treatment is long and expensive. It could also be the reason for many patients from across the state and beyond to come to the hospital,” said a senior official. “The patients need six shots of injection daily for 21 days. Majority of the patients who have come from other cities and towns were operated elsewhere and got admitted here to address long-term implications.”
Sources close to development said that the hospital is running operation theatres for patients round the clock. “We are performing about 20-22 operations daily for mucormycosis patients – which averages about one operation every hour. One surgery however doesn’t solve the problem as patients need multiple procedures,” said an ENT surgeon.
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