How GH saved man from jaws of black fungus

 How GH saved man from jaws of black fungus

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Omjasvin.MD@timesgroup.com

Chennai:

03.01.2022

He spent two months in the ICU of the Rajiv Gandhi government general hospital (RGGGH) from August 11. Last month, Bhakyaraj 35, a farmer from the Cauvery delta, returned for a final check-up and to thank the doctors who cured him of rhino-orbital mucormycosis or the post-Covid complication called black fungus.

The treatment cost ₹25 lakh and half of it was borne by the government under Chief Minister’s Health Insurance Scheme and a half of it was sourced through an NGO, by the government.

Bhakyaraj, a diabetic, was shifted from the Thanjavur general hospital to the RGGGH when his condition deteriorated. The specialists at the Chennai hospital had to deal with five life-threat- ening complications.

Interventional radiologist Dr S Kalpana said the main arteries leading to the brain were dilated. “We could not place a normal stent since the ballooning was longer than usual. We had to purchase two flow diverters costing ₹20 lakh. These are thinner stents that ensure smooth supply through the arteries. Aneurysm was treated by placing coils,” she said.

The doctors accessed the blood vessels through a 5mm incision in the patient’s hip. The whole process monitored by digital subtraction Angiography. The intervention was done on October 15 and the patient was discharged on October 26. RGGGH dean Dr E Theranirajan said the patient came back for a check-up on December 6 and he was doing fine. “The person’s life was saved because of the timely management by interventional radiology and other specialists at the RGGGH, along with support by the government,” he said.

Bhakyaraj’s wife, in a video message, said she did not have words to thank the government and doctors, who caured such a life-threatening illness free of cost.

More than 10 specialists, nurses, anaesthetists and health care assistants from various departments were involved in the treatment.