"Ordered 1.7 Lakh Personal Protection Kits, 49,000 Ventilators": Health Ministry

The government has ordered 1.7 crore PPEs (personal protection equipment) and 49,000 ventilators to aid healthcare workers and doctors in the fight against the infectious novel coronavirus, the Health Ministry said today in its daily press briefing.

Confirming that the supply of new PPE, ventilators and N95 face masks had already begun, the ministry said there was no need to panic over the availability of PPE but advised caution, noting "everyone does not need PPE" and that guidelines had been issued regarding its "rational" use.

"Supplies of PPEs, masks and ventilators have now begun. 20 domestic manufacturers in India have been (contacted) and orders for 1.7 crore PPEs have been placed. Supplies have begun. 49,000 ventilators have been ordered," Lav Agarwal, Joint Secretary (Health Ministry), said.

As nationwide demand for PPEs and essential medical equipment grows, Mr Agarwal said the centre was working towards ensuring supply of essential medical equipment to states. However, he also urged states to "use them rationally".

"There is fear that everyone needs PPEs. Everyone does not need PPEs. A PPE is a mix of different components - like boots, N95 masks, coverall and headgear. People at high risk must use all components. For those at moderate risk masks and gloves are sufficient," the Joint Secretary said.

"It (PPE) should be used as per requirement... I can use four N95 masks within a day or I can use just one within a day," he added.

A shortage of protective equipment has left doctors and medical staff concerned about their own lives, and of their families, as they treat more than 5,000 active coronavirus cases in the country.

About 16 lakh N-95 masks are presently available, the Health Ministry has said (File)

In Delhi alone eight doctors, including one who is nine months pregnant, have been infected. States have, so far, received far fewer PPEs than requested; Bihar asked for five lakh but got 4,000.

According to a report by news agency Reuters, some doctors even resorted to raincoats and motorcycle helmets as alternative PPEs.

India received another 1.7 lakh PPE coveralls donated by China, where the COVID-19 outbreak originated in December last year, on Monday. Including this there are nearly four lakh PPEs available in the country, the Health Ministry said at the time.

On Wednesday the centre confirmed a five-year, fully-funded COVID-19 emergency package to fund, among other things, the purchase of PPEs. These funds, separate from the State Disaster Risk Management Fund (Rs 11,092 crores released this week), will be made available in three phases.

Meanwhile, the Health Ministry also advised caution in use of hydroxychloroquine, an anti-malarial drug believed by many to be effective in the treatment of COVID-19, stressing the drug should be used "as per norms" and is meant for doctors and medical staff dealing with coronavirus patients.

The ministry also warned that HCQ (hydroxychloroquine) "might not be good for heart patients".

Hydroxychloroquine, currently being tested on 1,500 COVID-19 patients in the US, was the subject of discussion between US President Donald Trump and PM Modi this week, with the US warning of "retaliation" if India did not sanction sale of the drug.

Among other points addressed by the Health Ministry in today's briefing was the dispatch of 10 teams of novel coronavirus specialists to nine states and that the Indian Railways had produced around six lakh reusable face masks and more than 4,000 litres of hand sanitiser.

With input from ANI, PTI, Reuters