Blitz Bureau
Shamsheer Vayalil, a UAEbased doctor-turned-entrepreneur and Founder of VPS Healthcare, has come to the aid of Kerala in combating the surge in Primary Amoebic Meningoencephalitis (PAM) cases by supplying the lifesaving drug Miltefosine. Kerala Health Minister Veena George received the first shipment from Germany on July 29, containing a box of 56 medicines valued at Rs 3.19 lakh.
Fatal infection
The state Government sought Shamsheer’s help following the sixth confirmed case of PAM in the state. PAM is a rare and highly fatal infection caused by the brain-eating amoeba Naegleria fowleri. So far, three children have succumbed to the disease in the past two months, while two others are currently receiving treatment at a hospital in Kozhikode. A new case was reported on July29. Recognising the effectiveness of Miltefosine (marketed as Impavido) in treating PAM, the state Government has been actively working to procure the drug, which the US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) began recommending for PAM treatment in 2013.
Crucial drug
“With cases getting reported from Kerala, we consulted the Central Government and identified Miltefosine as a crucial drug. However, its availability in India is very limited. Thanks to the support of Shamsheer and VPS Healthcare, this essential medicine has been handed over to the state Government. I extend my thanks to him and his team for their timely assistance,” said George. To ensure the continued availability of this crucial drug, a second batch of Miltefosine is expected to arrive within the next few days
