Karnataka: China-made PPEs more expensive

Sunitha Rao R | TNN | May 5, 2020, 10:54 IST

Representative image

BENGALURU: Karnataka has 1.5 lakh Personal Protective Equipment (PPEs) and they are sufficient for the next one month even if the state uses 5,000 PPEs per day.
A week ago, Karnataka procured one lakh PPEs from China for Rs 2,100 each. That is almost double the cost of locally procured PPEs, which are priced between Rs 900 and Rs 1,400.
The state government, after spending Rs 22 crore on China-made PPEs, is now looking at tapping the potential of local textile industries in Peenya and Doddaballapura to augment its inventory.
With PPEs all set to become an integral part of healthcare delivery in future, the health and family welfare department is working on a sustainable model for their procurement to ensure safety of healthcare professionals.
But doctors and nurses working on the frontline to contain Covid-19 say the China-made white PPEs are of comparatively better quality. “The fibre type, bonding process, and fabric finish are better in the newly supplied China-made PPEs. These can also be made here. Wearing PPE is essential, but very uncomfortable. One set is useful only for 6-7 hours maximum,” said a doctor.
The state government had earlier faced allegations about irregularities in procurement of cheap quality PPEs. The government issued a clarification that the PPEs found to be faulty were returned to the manufacturers.
Pankaj Kumar Pandey, health commissioner, told TOI that a committee has been formed to look into the issues pertaining to PPEs. It will consider various factors, including the cost, he said.
He said China-made PPEs have multiple components like goggles and shoes too. “We need to check if the locally procured ones have the same components. Also, the quality matters,” said Pandey.