Thiruvananthapuram, July 30 (Representative) In a significant boost to Kerala’s efforts in combating the surge in Primary Amoebic Meningoencephalitis (PAM) cases, the state has received a crucial batch of the life-saving drug Miltefosine. Kerala Health Minister Veena George received the first shipment from Germany on Monday, which contained a box of 56 medicines valued at Rs 3.19 lakh. This vital procurement was made possible with the assistance of Dr. Shamsheer Vayalil, a UAE-based doctor-turned-entrepreneur and founder of VPS Healthcare, who utilised his extensive healthcare network to secure the drug and ensure its availability at no cost to the state. The state government sought Dr. Shamsheer’s help following the sixth confirmed case of PAM. In response to a surge in cases of PAM, a rare and highly fatal infection caused by the brain-eating amoeba Naegleria fowleri, Kerala is taking swift action. Tragically, three children have succumbed to the disease in the past two months, while two others are currently receiving intensive care at a hospital in Kozhikode. However, there is a ray of hope as a 14-year-old boy named Afnan has recovered from the disease, which has a high fatality rate of 97%.
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. Elaborating on the efforts to procure the medicine, the Minister said, “Amoebic Meningoencephalitis is a very rare disease, and there is no specific medicine for its treatment. The literature on this condition is also limited. When cases were recently reported in Kerala, we consulted with the Central government and identified Miltefosine as a crucial drug.” “However, its availability in India is very limited. Thanks to the support of Dr. Shamsheer Vayalil and VPS Healthcare, this essential medicine has been handed over to the government. I extend my thanks to Dr. Shamsheer and his team for their timely assistance.” Naegleria fowleri causes severe inflammation in the brain, leading to tissue destruction and bleeding. Although the exact mechanism is not fully understood, miltefosine effectively penetrates the blood-brain barrier and concentrates in the brain tissue, making it helpful in treating infections like PAM. Initially developed in the 1980s as an anti-cancer agent, Miltefosine is now the only recognised oral treatment for leishmaniasis, a disease spread by sandflies. The drug has also shown promise against rare but deadly free-living amoebae infections, such as PAM and granulomatous amebic encephalitis (GAE). The relatives of the children undergoing treatment for PAM expressed their immense relief and gratitude upon the arrival of the medicines.
“I hope this medicine will help bring my son back to a normal life. I would like to extend my heartfelt thanks to the Kerala government and Dr. Shamsheer for their efforts and support during this challenging time,” said one of the relatives. To ensure the continued availability of this crucial medication, a second batch of Miltefosine is expected to arrive within the next few days. Hafiz Ali Ullatt, India Head, VPS Healthcare, and Group Communications Officer M. Unnikrishnan handed over the medication to the Minister in Thiruvananthapuram. “We are dedicated to supporting the Kerala government and the affected families during this critical time. Our task force is actively working to secure more medication and provide all necessary assistance,” said Hafiz Ali. In 2018, when Kerala faced an outbreak of the Nipah virus, Dr. Shamsheer made a significant contribution by donating emergency healthcare supplies worth INR 1.75 crore, aiding the state’s efforts to combat the deadly infection.