The Karnataka government has extended free treatment for Monkeypox (Kyasanur Forest Disease or KFD) to all individuals, including those from Above Poverty Line (APL) families. Previously, the initiative was only available to Below Poverty Line (BPL) cardholders.
State Health Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao confirmed this move, emphasizing the state’s commitment to controlling the disease, which has been spreading rapidly in the Malenadu region. “Efforts to curb KFD are being reinforced, and treatment is now available free of charge to APL families as well,” he stated.
The free treatment for KFD patients is accessible at hospitals affiliated with the Suvarna Arogya Suraksha Trust, benefitting hundreds of families. This initiative comes as part of the state’s larger strategy to mitigate the impact of Monkey Fever, which has affected several districts near the Western Ghats.
Minister Rao also mentioned that the Karnataka government is collaborating with the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) on developing a vaccine for KFD. Clinical trials for the vaccine are expected to conclude by 2026. “The vaccine’s clinical trials are progressing well, with human trials set to begin in April 2025,” Rao added.
Since 2003, more than 59 people have lost their lives to the disease. Immediate medical attention can prevent fatal outcomes, and the state’s decision to extend free treatment aims to protect lower and middle-income families from the disease’s severe effects.
Read also: