Srinagar, May 24: The administration of J&K Union Territory on Monday unveiled the “Epidemic Diseases (MUCORMYCOSIS) Regulations, 2021.

According to the regulations, all the government and private health facilities, medical colleges will follow the guidelines for screening, diagnosis, management of Mucormycosis, issued by the Ministry of Health and Female Welfare/Indian Council for Medical Research/Government of Jammu and Kashmir as amended from time to time and make it mandatory for all these facilities to report suspected and confirmed cases to Health Department through District Level Chief Medical Officers and Integrated Disease Surveillance

“No person/ institution or organization will spread any information or material for management of Mucormycosis without prior permission from Director Health Services, Jammu/Kashmir,” read the regulations.

The regulations also prohibit person/ institution or organization from using any print/ electronic or any other form of media for Mucormycosis without prior permission from Director Health Services, Jammu/ Kashmir.

According to the regulations, the director Health Services, Jammu/ Kashmir shall constitute a District Committee headed by Chief Medical Officer of the concerned District, which will have specialist of Internal Medicine, Ophthalmology, ENT and Epidemiologist as members to review any disobeying by the person/ institution or organization of the notification or any order issued under these regulations.

“If disobeying is proved, a notice would be issued by the Chief Medical Officer of the concerned district against such person / institution organization, indicating the offence/ irregularly conducted as per this notification. The reply of person/ institution or organization received against the notice will be reviewed by the aforementioned District Committee.

If reply is not received within stipulated time of receipt of the notice or if the reply is found unsatisfactory by the Committee and it is confirmed that the person/ institution or organization has disobeyed regulations, the Chief Medical Officer of concerned district will take necessary action against the delinquent person/ institution or organization as per Section 3 of the Epidemic Diseases Act, 1897,” reads the regulations

According to the regulations, any person/ institution or organization disobeying these Regulations or order issued under these Regulations shall be deemed to have committed as offence punishable under section 188 of Indian Penal Code (45 of 1860). kno