Get ready to tackle MIS-C in children: HC tells govt

Nagpur: With children likely to get affected by a probable third wave of Covid, the Nagpur bench of Bombay high court has directed the state government to plan for multi system inflammatory syndrome (MIS-C), also called ‘MIS-N’ in neonatals. This is increasingly found patients who are recuperating from the virus.
While hearing a suo motu public interest litigation on beds shortage, based on TOI report, a division bench comprising justices Sunil Shukre and Avinash Gharote also asked the government to consider inclusion of this disease for treatment under the Jyotiba Phule Jan Arogya Scheme.
The directives came after amicus curiae Shreerang Bhandarkar pointed out that black, white or yellow fungus are side effects of post Covid. Many other diseases are also found in patients after their recovery, he added.
“One of them is MIS-C which is serious and needs the preparedness of the state. It causes impairing of heart, lungs and kidneys. Therefore, in anticipation, the government would also have to make appropriate preparations for dealing with it,” he said.
While quoting pursis filed by the centre, the bench noted that the ministry of external affairs (MEA) was told to perform an active role in procuring the raw material from abroad for production of Amphotericin-B Lipid Complex used for treating mucormycosis.
“But the pursis doesn’t provide us specific information of the steps taken by MEA and by the department of pharmaceuticals in this regard. We request the centre to apprise us of efforts to increase the production of such primary drugs and increase their supply to different states, including Maharashtra,” the judges said.
Further citing centre’s pursis, the judges mentioned that on May 5, 16,500 vials of Amphotericin-B were allotted to Maharashtra and then there was no supply till May 18. The allocation restarted on May 19 with only 5,700 vials. Thereafter, up to May 24 only 4,360, 5,090 and 4,060 vials have been given to the state on different dates.
“Since the regulation of production of this drug is entirely in the hands of the centre, we are of the view that it needs to jack up its efforts in increasing its production in entire India. Of course, some steps have been taken by it, as the number of companies which were manufacturing Amphotericin B has now risen from 6 to 11. It’s informed that the newly added firms would be manufacturing this drug shortly,” they said.
MSEDCL donates Rs1.10cr under CSR funds
Responding to HC’s query, MSEDCL counsel DM Kale informed that it had already made a contribution of Rs 1.10 crore under the CSR funds from which 20 ventilators were purchased for the Government Medical College and Hospital (GMCH) here.
Kale added that even MSETCL is also willing to make its contribution and details would be placed before the next date of hearing. The judges also approved AIIMS request to extend its occupancy certificate granted by the MADC for its new unit for handling Covid-19 patients till June 15.