CHENNAI: The state government took possession of 200 ‘refurbished’ ventilators that were lying idle in the customs warehouse in Alandur since November 2018. The Union ministry of Commerce has given permission to the Tamil Nadu Medical Services Corporation (TNMSC) to use these machines in government hospitals amid the Covid-19 outbreak after ensuring that the machines meet Indian safety standards.
Officials said city-based Skylark Office Machines in Thousand Lights had imported these ventilators in November 2018 from a US firm. But customs authorities confiscated the consignment and imposed a penalty on the company saying they were ‘second-hand’ machines that come under the hazardous category of Bio Medical Waste Management Rules.
When the company approached the Customs, Excise and Service Tax Appellate Tribunal for relief, the tribunal said the machines must be re-exported back to the US. That’s when Skylark hit another roadblock - the Centre had banned exports of ventilators on March 24 amidst the Covid-19 outbreak. The importer said he had very little time to send the machines to the US after the ruling was delivered.
On March 31, the state medical corporation, which procures and maintains drugs and medical equipment, urged the Directorate General of Foreign Trade seeking clearance of the consignment as a special case to enable use of the ventilators at government medical institutions in Tamil Nadu, along with an appeal from company.
In its appeal, the company sought relaxation of the policy for goods already imported as a special case so that it can supply the equipment to the state-run company for use in government hospitals.
On Saturday, the deputy director general of foreign trade Gangandeep Singh said the competent authority has allowed the importer to sell the equipment to the staterun company after technical specifications are checked.
Experts said refurbished equipment can be used as long as they are restored to its original condition and effectiveness by the original equipment manufacturer and are certified by refurbishing companies.
“All these machines will be tested by our biomedical engineers for calibration before sending them to hospitals for use. Many machines turned on as soon as they were plugged in,” said TNMSC managing director Dr P Umanath.
The state has more than 2,500 ventilators across medical colleges and district hospitals and has ordered almost an equal number of them from China, Europe and Israel. “We did not want to keep machines idle when there is crisis,” Dr Umanath said.
The medical corporation, he said, will ensure continued availability of technical support and maintenance services for all these machines. The importer has provided one year warranty and agreed to a five-year annual maintenance.
Officials said city-based Skylark Office Machines in Thousand Lights had imported these ventilators in November 2018 from a US firm. But customs authorities confiscated the consignment and imposed a penalty on the company saying they were ‘second-hand’ machines that come under the hazardous category of Bio Medical Waste Management Rules.
When the company approached the Customs, Excise and Service Tax Appellate Tribunal for relief, the tribunal said the machines must be re-exported back to the US. That’s when Skylark hit another roadblock - the Centre had banned exports of ventilators on March 24 amidst the Covid-19 outbreak. The importer said he had very little time to send the machines to the US after the ruling was delivered.
On March 31, the state medical corporation, which procures and maintains drugs and medical equipment, urged the Directorate General of Foreign Trade seeking clearance of the consignment as a special case to enable use of the ventilators at government medical institutions in Tamil Nadu, along with an appeal from company.
In its appeal, the company sought relaxation of the policy for goods already imported as a special case so that it can supply the equipment to the state-run company for use in government hospitals.
On Saturday, the deputy director general of foreign trade Gangandeep Singh said the competent authority has allowed the importer to sell the equipment to the staterun company after technical specifications are checked.
Experts said refurbished equipment can be used as long as they are restored to its original condition and effectiveness by the original equipment manufacturer and are certified by refurbishing companies.
“All these machines will be tested by our biomedical engineers for calibration before sending them to hospitals for use. Many machines turned on as soon as they were plugged in,” said TNMSC managing director Dr P Umanath.
The state has more than 2,500 ventilators across medical colleges and district hospitals and has ordered almost an equal number of them from China, Europe and Israel. “We did not want to keep machines idle when there is crisis,” Dr Umanath said.
The medical corporation, he said, will ensure continued availability of technical support and maintenance services for all these machines. The importer has provided one year warranty and agreed to a five-year annual maintenance.
Coronavirus outbreak
Trending Topics
LATEST VIDEOS
City
Delhi Health Minister meets 82-year-old cured COVID-19 patient 
Centre considering states' request to extend lockdown: Sources 
COVID-19: Ranchi admin bans movement of persons, vehicles after 2 novel coronavirus cases reported 
COVID-19: Educational institutions will be closed till Apr 30 in state, says Meghalaya Deputy CM
More from TOI
Navbharat Times
Featured Today in Travel
Get the app