New Delhi: The Modi government has set an ultimatum for states and union territories to spell out by this week how equipped they are to tackle the Covid-19 pandemic.
In a letter written Wednesday, the government has asked states and union territories to specify the exact stocks available for essentials such as personal protective equipment (PPE) for doctors and health workers, testing kits, and ventilators for critical patients.
As it looks to take stock of the country’s preparedness to tackle Covid-19, the central government has also sought details of local manufacturing capacity with respect to the equipment.
“This may kindly be given utmost priority,” said the letter issued by the National Pharmaceuticals Pricing Authority (NPPA), the drug price and availability watchdog overseen by the Union Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilisers.
The letter is signed by NPPA chairman Shubhra Singh.
“In order to assess shortage or availability of PPE, masks (2 ply, 3 ply and N95), gloves, testing kits and ventilators in the country, following information is to be provided urgently, not later than 5 April…” said the letter, which has been accessed by ThePrint.
PPE includes protective clothing, masks, goggles and other equipment meant to safeguard the health personnel on the frontlines of handling infectious diseases, such as Covid-19.
However, there have been reports that the essentials have been in short supply in Indian hospitals, leaving many doctors and other health workers vulnerable as they screen, test or treat suspected Covid-19 patients.
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‘World requires crores of masks per month’
In its letter, the central government has asked states and union territories to specify local production capacity with respect to these equipment, along with “details of procurement orders already placed, number of procurement orders placed by hospitals and other agencies, stock in hand at government hospitals and private hospitals apart from stock in hand of retailers”.
The letter also seeks details on actions to be taken by the state and union territory governments to meet emerging requirements on account of the Covid-19 outbreak. The recipients have also been instructed to send their assessments for the PPE, ventilators and testing kits likely to be required by both public and private healthcare institutions over the next two months, and to specify if they may face shortage.
According to World Health Organization (WHO) estimates, around 8.9 crore medical masks are required each month for the world’s Covid-19 response. The figure is 7.6 crore for examination gloves, and 11.6 lakh for goggles.
On Wednesday, PPE items and ventilators came under the NPPA’s regulation, which means the watchdog will oversee their prices and availability.
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The figures appear grossly inadequate. But I do hope our equipment will not be exported, as we are not out of the woods as yet;and there may be a resurgence.