Lifesaving Drug Arrives in Kerala to Combat Rare Amoebic Infection

The Kerala government has received a crucial shipment of Miltefosine, a drug used to treat the deadly amoebic meningoencephalitis, donated by UAE-based entrepreneur Shamsheer Vayalil. Six recent cases have been reported in the state. While three children have died, two have recovered, and two others are under treatment.

The Kerala government received a critical supply of Miltefosine on Monday, a medicine donated by UAE-based entrepreneur Shamsheer Vayalil, to treat amoebic meningoencephalitis, a rare and highly lethal disease. Six cases have recently been detected in Kerala.

Among these cases, two boys aged 14 and 12 have recovered, while two others are currently undergoing treatment in a hospital in Kozhikode. Tragically, three children have succumbed to the infection in the past two months. Notably, only 11 people worldwide have ever recovered from this disease.

The lifesaving medicine was imported from Germany and handed over to the government by VPS Healthcare, founded by Vayalil. Kerala Health Minister Veena George emphasized the scarcity of Miltefosine in India and praised the crucial support from VPS Healthcare. This rare yet deadly infection is commonly contracted from freshwater sources and has a 97% mortality rate. A second shipment of the drug is anticipated to arrive soon.

(With inputs from agencies.)