Bhalla appeals Govt to cover Black Fungus under Ayushman Bharat

Congress leader Raman Bhalla meeting people in Gorakhnagar.
Congress leader Raman Bhalla meeting people in Gorakhnagar.

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, May 22: Senior Congress leader and former minister, Raman Bhalla has appealed the Government to cover Black fungus under Ayushman Bharat scheme and ensure cost free treatment to those affected.
Visiting Gorakhnagar in Gandhi Nagar Assembly constituency for listening to grievance of locals facing brunt of Covid-19, Bhalla expressed serious concern over first death in Jammu due to Mucormycosis also known as Black fungus infection. He appealed Govt to ensure the assured supply of essential medicines for the treatment of mucormycosis and cost-free care to those affected. Pointing out that the illness is not covered under Ayushman Bharat and most other health insurance plans, he sought immediate action on the issue.
Bhalla urged the people to strictly adhere to COVID-19 restrictions being implemented to prevent the spread of the disease. He demanded strict measures like Public Discipline Fortnight, Pandemic Red Alert and Public Discipline Lockdown’ by the Government to stop the spread of the virus to get deserving results.
The Congress leader slammed the Centre for its lackluster approach and poor policy decisions for the second wave of Covid-19. “The Government’s lackadaisical attitude and careless administration are the main reasons for the second wave that has a severe impact in J&K and other parts of the country,” he alleged and suggested the Government to leave its publicity campaigns and focus on its people once.
Bhalla also expressed serious concerns over the status of the vaccination drive against COVID-19 and asked the Central and the J&K Administration to pay attention to it.” The status of the vaccination drive to save the people of the country from the deadly coronavirus is quite frightening as compared to other countries. The second dose of the vaccine has been given to even fewer people which is very serious and worrying,” he said.
Observing that the ongoing lockdown has affected the lives of some of the most vulnerable communities across J&K, such as migrant labourers, rag pickers, single mothers, artisans, Bhalla stressed the need to cushion the impact of the crisis on these sections and to ensure their access to essentials for which Govt should make all-out efforts.