‘Who’ll bear cost of treating black fungus?’

State declares COVID-19 Associated Mucormycosis as a notifiable disease, but is silent on treatment cost

The State government on Wednesday declared COVID-19 Associated Mucormycosis (CAM) as a notifiable disease and mandated all private hospitals to report cases to the Department of Health and Family Welfare. The order also stated that no hospital that has the facilities for treatment should refuse admission to any patient. Health and Family Welfare Minister K. Sudhakar had said on Monday that the treatment for CAM should be given for seven consecutive weeks and costs ₹2-3 lakh While the order lists six government medical colleges across the State [BMCRI in Bengaluru, and medical colleges in Mysuru, Shivamogga and Kalaburagi, Wenlock Hospital, Mangaluru, and KIMS, Hubballi] as centres for CAM treatment, it is silent on expenses incurred on treatment in private hospitals. On who will bear the cost, Dr. Sudhakar said he would discuss with the Chief Minister the possibility of the State government providing free treatment.