Mucormycosis commonly known as black fungus is arapidly spreading invasive fungal infection with high morbidity and mortality. It usually affects the nose, sinuses, upper jaw, teeth and in severe case extending up to the eyes and brain. Patients whose brain is affected seldom survive. Our country saw a surge of these cases during the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic between April and August 2021. On one hand the delta virus was so severe that we lost millions of lives due to severe acute respiratory symptoms and sudden drop in oxygen saturation and on the other hand it gave a scarred survival to many. These patients had a trident of COVID 19, uncontrolled diabetes mellitus and severe immunocompromised states as predisposing factors to this deadly infection. It is interesting to note that this was confined to India. We call is as “an endemic within the pandemic”. The situation in the hospitals during the entire pandemic was so heart breaking with humanity crying for help at every stage. The healthcare workers have stood tall against these challenges and have offered themselves to fight this pandemic.

Mucormycosis did not spare any age group. We saw patients as young as 10 years to as old as 80 years. Across the country, government statistics reveals a total of 40,845 cases out of which 31,444 were rhinocerebral in nature involving sinuses, nasal passages, mouth, jaws and brain. Fatality of infection stands at 3,129. Of the total numbers, 34,940 had COVID infection (85.5%), 26,187 (64.11%) were co- morbid with diabetes while 21,523 (52.68%) of those infected were on steroids. 13,083 (32%) patients were in the age group 18-45 years, 17,464 (42%) were in the age group 45-60 years while 10,082 (24%) were above 60 years. These patients were collectively managed Oral and Maxillofacial surgeons, ENT surgeons, Opthalmologists, Neurosurgeons and Physicians by the gold standard treatment of surgical debridement and subsequent administration oflyophilised amphotericin B which was organized at a neck break pace by the Government.

The survivors of this unprecedented mayhem in wake of COVID-19, have been decapitated both physically and psychologically. Post the lifesaving surgery, patients are now bearing the consequences of gross facial deformity and disfigurement, compromised phonetics, swallowing, chewing, nasal regurgitation, nasal twang and poor nutrition. These conditions will not only affect their quality of life in terms of basic function, but also affects their morale and dignity of life.

“I was infected with COVID 19 in May 2021 with moderate symptoms and when hospitalized, I was diagnosed with high diabetes as well. I was even put on steroids to control the infection. One day I noticed sudden loosening of my teeth and dull pain in my upper jaw. The fear of my family members was real. I was infected with mucormycosis and was treated with surgery and amphotericin B injections. Now I am disease free but I have half my upper jaw with teeth removed. My face has collapsed on one side, I can’t eat, chew and swallow properly. No one understands what I speak and I have lost a year of my college now. I want to get back to normal life, but my familycan’t afford another major surgery”, says a 19year old survivor.

Now, we stare at a herculean task of rehabilitating these patients for which we seek financial support to restore their smile, function and dignity.Over 25,000 patients who have undergone debridement surgery are in desperate need for reconstruction and rehabilitation.Providing adequate care to these patients is not just a necessity but also the need of the hour. As afraternity, we specialize in providing services to these patients in form of maxillofacial implants and3D printed patient specific implants. These technologies have for a long time been imported fromother nations. Thanks to Government’s ‘Make in India’ initiative, we now have access and know-howto bridge technology and medicine right here.

February 13 th is celebrated as the International Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon’s Day and to celebratethis event, we, Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons of India, wish to dedicate ourselves tothe service of rehabilitating these patients and have themed our celebration on- Metamorphosis offace- Combating Mucormycosis and transforming lives. To mark the event, we have organised ahybrid programme (online and offline) in consistence with the current COVID protocols with a liveevent in Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences, Bengaluru, Karnataka.Visit www.aomsi.com for more information.

This is a pan India movement where we wish to identify those in need and offer helping hands with expertise and technology.