This story is from June 4, 2021

Hope keeps mucormycosis patients going in Ahmedabad

The scene inside the surgical wards for mucormycosis at Civil Hospital is not everyone’s cup of tea. Patients are in various stages of impairment, after removal of eyes to jaws to palates. What keeps them going is the support of relatives and fellow patients.
Hope keeps mucormycosis patients going in Ahmedabad
The scene inside the surgical wards for mucormycosis at Civil Hospital is not everyone’s cup of tea. Patients are in various stages of impairment, after removal of eyes to jaws to palates. What keeps them going is the support of relatives and fellow patients.
AHMEDABAD: The scene inside the surgical wards for mucormycosis at Civil Hospital is not everyone’s cup of tea. Patients are in various stages of impairment, after removal of eyes to jaws to palates. What keeps them going is the support of relatives and fellow patients.
As on Thursday afternoon, Civil Hospital has more than 375 mucormycosis (MM) patients in 15 wards. The administration has divided patients in categories of pre-operative, post-operative, Covid positive and those who only need amphotericin B to prevent further spread.

Dr J P Modi, medical superintendent of Civil Hospital, said doctors try their best to save the eye or jaw or other parts of the head infected by mucormycosis, and removal is the last option. “Our goal is to save their lives. It’s not an easy disease, but we see cases of strength and support every day as they all know that they are in it together,” he said.
Experts say the number of cases will reduce with the overall decrease in Covid cases in the state.
Maluben prajapati | 56
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The Gandhinagar resident underwent surgery in the first week of June to remove her palate completely. “The spread of fungal infection was faster and the removal of the palate was necessary to stop its spread in sinuses and brain. She can currently eat only through food pipe,” said a treating doctor, adding that multiple surgeries would be required to get her back to normalcy. Her relatives said that she has a history of diabetes and prolonged hospitalization due to Covid infection. “She however is hopeful that she will overcome these difficulties and would go back home healthy,” said her son.

Arvind patel | 59
02

The Nikol resident is diabetic and underwent a lengthy treatment for Covid-19. His relatives said that he complained of dental pain about five days after his discharge on May 24. “A visit to the dentist revealed that it was mucormycosis. By that time, the infection had spread to his entire jaw and on both the cheekbones,” said a relative. Patel underwent a surgery where part of his lower jaw and three teeth from the upper jaw were removed to arrest the fungal growth. Treating doctors said that after follow-up next week, he would undergo reconstructive surgery.
Kalusingh ratan | 53
03

A labour contractor based in Palanpur, Kalusingh had suffered a severe Covid infection and had remained under observation for close to a month. He was also administered oxygen and steroids, said his relative. “He developed mucormycosis about a fortnight after his discharge. He complained of numbness in his cheeks, blurred vision, and pain in the back of the eyes. The surgery earlier last week removed part of his jaw and tissues from above the palate,” said a relative. “He is recuperating well as he is kept under observation for cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leak,” said a treating doctor.
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