Sejal chaturvedi –
In a recent development, on the last day of a hearing the Andhra Pradesh High Court had sought answer from the Central government in regards to the allocations made to every State for supplies of medicines and other Covid and new fungal infections related material.
Further the Court had also ordered the State government to launch a social awareness campaigns regarding the causes, effects and prevention of Mucormycosis or Black Fungus disease.
The Court had directed that, “Mr. N. Harinath (ASGI) will file a memo indicating how assertion was made that 15 PSA Units would be established by the first week of June 2021. In the memo, firm commitment shall be indicated as to by which date the aforesaid 15 PSA Units will be established.”
Furthermore, it added, “In the memo to be filed by Mr. N. Harinath, it shall also be indicated as to the developments that had taken place in the interregnum regarding augmentation of supply of Liposomal amphotericin B injections.
The Andhra Pradesh High Court on Wednesday demanded a Statement from the Centre as to when the 15 Pressure Swing Adsorption (PSA) Units would be established in the State, as well as the augmentation of supply of Liposomal amphotericin B injections for treating Black Fungus.
The Division Bench led by Chief Justice Arup Kumar Goswami and Justice Ninala Jayasurya also requested a response from the State Government detailing the latest developments in the Covid 19 pandemic in the State, as well as the number of people in serious need of Liposomal amphotericin B injections and the number of injections available.
During the course of the hearing the Andhra Pradesh government also informed that all the senior citizens in old age home have been fully vaccinated
Moreover, the Centre also submitted that it had planned to establish 15 out of the 42 PSA units by first week of June, but couldn’t deliver so because the State government has not allotted land to the centre.
On the subject of black fungus, the Court stated that there were 1385 active cases of Mucormycosis (Black Fungus).
Added to that the Court noted that there is a shortage of Liposomal amphotericin B injections, along with that it noted that these injections are only given to patients who were in serious condition, and that patients with less severe cases should be given an alternative drug, Posaconazole.
This came in as the High Court emphasised on the authorities to be in rear guard mode and not dive into complacency citing the relaxation in the pandemic situation As a result, the Court made the following observation, “We fully endorse his submissions and it is time for all authorities to take stock of the present situation and the possible future scenario in the wake e of projections made and to take such rear-guard action as may be necessary to successfully meet the challenges.”