By Imna Longchar
Dimapur (Nagaland), May 22 : With massive surge in the number of Covid-19, and hospitalizations on account of the same, the department of Health and Family Welfare, Nagaland, have taken various measures to combat the spread of the same.
With reports being received of increasing incidence of “Mucormycosis” or Black Fungus amongst immune- compromised patients especially COVID-19 on treatment with steroids and likelihood of spreading disease in the State also, and that the ordinary provisions of law for the time being in force are insufficient for the purpose to combat the emerging disease (s), in order to reduce morbidity and mortality due to “Mucormycosis” and on account of its serious nature and in exercise of the power conferred under Section 2 of the “Epidemic Diseases Act 1897, the Governor of Nagaland had made certain regulations to be followed.
Terming that the regulations may be called “The Nagaland Epidemic Diseases (Mucormycosis) Regulations 2021”, Joint Secretary, Government of Nagaland, Ajit Kumar Ranjan (IAS), through a communiqué stated the same would come into force immediately and remain valid for a year from the date of the publication, all the Government and private healthcare facilities shall report each suspected and confirmed case of Mucormycosis to the respective Chief Medical Officer (CMO) on daily basis in a format of Annexure I, or as subsequently modified and prescribed by the Principal Director, Health and Family Welfare, Nagaland.
Ranjan said that the Chief Medical Officer (CMO) shall compile and submit the district reports to the Principal Director, Health and Family Welfare, Nagaland, on daily basis, and all Government and private healthcare facilities should follow the guidelines for screening, diagnosis, management of Mucormycosis issued by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India, Indian Council of Medical Research and the Government of Nagaland, and amended from time to time.
He added that all the Government and private healthcare facilities should submit complete patient records in case of deaths due to Mucormycosis through their respective Chief Medical Officers (CMOs) to the Principal Director, Health and Family Welfare, Nagaland, within 24 hours of the event while the former should prescribe a format for reporting such deaths.
He also cautioned that no person/institution should publish or circulate rumours or unauthenticated information regarding COVID-19 through any print or electronic media, all other provisions of the Epidemic Diseases Act’ 1897 and its Amendment, 2020, shall be applicable in any matters relating to Mucormycosis infection.
The Joint Secretary later informed that no suit or legal proceedings shall lie against any person for anything done or indented to be done in good faith under the regulations.
