14,000 ventilators, 11.95 lakh N95 masks available in Country’s hospitals
So far, only 20 COVID-19 patients need ventilators
New Delhi, March 30: In view of the increasing number of novel coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19) patients in the country, the country’s famous automotive industries are manufacturing ventilators which includes Maruti and Mahindra.
Also 11 domestic manufacturers have been identified for manufacturing of N95 masks and personal protective equipment (PPE).
Apart from this, the Health Ministry has also placed order for ventilators and N95 masks from abroad.
According to Luv Aggarwal, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and Ministry of Textiles are working together for PPE.
So far, 11 manufacturers have been approved for manufacturing of PPE. They will make 21 lakhs of PPE coveralls. The companies are currently supplying 6-7,000 coveralls per day and are expected to supply 15,000 per day by next week, informed Agarwal.
According to the release issued by the ministry, 3.34 lakh PPE are available in various hospitals across the country.
About 60,000 PPE kits have already been procured and supplied by the Government of India. The Indian Red Cross Society has provided 10,000 PPE from China to the Ministry.
Apart from this, 3 lakh donated PPE coveralls are to come by 4 April.
PPE kits will be purchased from Singapore, Korea
Other countries are being contacted through the Ministry of External Affairs for import of PPE kits.
As part of this effort, a Singapore-based online platform has been identified that can supply 1 million PPE kits.
Along with this, a company based in Korea has tie-ups with production companies in Vietnam and Turkey. Orders have been placed through the Ministry of External Affairs to supply 20 lakh PPE kits from this company.
Two domestic companies are manufacturing N95 masks
Two domestic companies of the country are manufacturing N95 masks. They are currently supplying 50,000 masks per day but in the coming week the companies will gain the capacity to manufacture one lakh masks.
With this, Defence Research and Development organisation (DRDO) together with local manufacturers is producing around 20,000 N99 masks per day.
At present, 11.95 lakh N95 masks are in stock in the hospitals of the country. In the last two days 5 lakh masks have been distributed and 1.40 lakh masks have been distributed on 30 March.
Apart from this, 1 million masks have been ordered from Singapore in the coming days, which will be part of the PPE kit.
So far, only 20 COVID-19 patients need ventilators
According to the Health Ministry, only 20 patients have required ventilators in all the COVID-19 cases so far.
But ventilators are being ordered for the coming days. Currently, there are over 14,000 ventilators in various hospitals across the country.
However, Noida-based domestic manufacturer Aga Healthcare has been approached to purchase ventilators. This company has been ordered 10,000 ventilators. Supply is expected to begin by the second week of April.
In addition, 30,000 ventilators have been ordered at Bharat Electronics Limited. Orders have been placed on international companies such as Hamilton, Mindray and Dredger to supply ventilators with it.
