Question : Procurement of Medical Equipments for Corona

Will the Minister of HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE be pleased to state:

(a) whether the Government had planned to procure adequate number of PPE kits, sanitation equipment and material to prevent contamination and safeguard the doctors, health workers and para-medical staff and others including police personnel deputed on the task of combating Covid-19 in the country, if so, the details thereof;

(b) whether there has been an acute shortage of such preventive equipment, all along leading to large scale spread of disease among these health personnel; and

(c) if so, the details thereof and steps taken to tackle the situation especially when cases are being reported in large number throughout the country?

ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND
FAMILY WELFARE
(SHRI ASHWINI KUMAR CHOUBEY)
(a): Yes. The Ministry of Health & Family Welfare anticipating the spread of COVID-19 pandemic in India had planned to procure adequate number of Personnel Protective Equipment including coveralls and N-95 masks. By 31st May 2020 orders had been placed for 192 lakh coveralls and 459 lakh N-95 masks. As on 15.09.2020, 140 lakh coveralls and 344 lakhs N-95 masks have been distributed to the States/UTs and Central Institutions to enable them to equip their Covid related personnel.

(b) & (c): No. There are a large number of indigenous manufacturers of quality certified coveralls and N-95 masks in the country and these products are available on Government e-market place (GeM) also. States are being encouraged to procure the same from the (GeM), anticipating the demand for these products in their State.