4/17/2020 Short of Breath, Govt to Let in Used Ventilators - The Economic Times - Delhi, 4/17/2020

Short of Breath, Govt to Let in Used

Ventilators
Move to allow import of second-hand ventilators follows request
from industry
Teena.Thacker@timesgroup.com

New Delhi:

Facing a shortage of ventilators, the government has allowed import of second-hand or used
ventilators. In a memorandum dated April 1, the ministry of environment, forest and climate change
relaxed the import policy to facilitate use of second-hand ventilators by hospitals.

The coronavirus, at its most lethal, attacks the lungs, making ventilators critical for patients at a
time when governments around the world are grappling with an increasing number of Covid-19
cases.

India had earlier banned coronavirus-linked medical exports, including ventilators, so as to boost its
preparedness.

The government issued a memorandum exempting import of used ventilators in view of the
increase in cases. According to government officials, India has about 40,000 ventilators, though the
number is increasing every day as many companies are trying hard to pitch in.

The ministry decided to “allow the import of used ventilators by hospitals for six months i.e. till
September 30,” said the memorandum. Critical care medical equipment for reuse, including
ventilators, otherwise falls under the category of goods prohibited for import under Schedule VI of
Hazardous and Other Wastes (Management and Transboundary Movement) Rules, 2016.

The ministry said the decision to relax the status was taken following requests from the industry.

Rajiv Nath, forum coordinator, Association of Indian Medical Device Industry, said the
government’s decision would endanger Indian patients. “Though it sounds like a very attractive
option, the government should not allow such imports without ensuring that these ventilators are
compliant to HLL procurement specifications, tested at NABL accredited labs to HLL
specifications and ISI standards, bank guarantees of 100% value by importers of assured warrantee
and delivery of services and spares over the next seven years minimum at their cost.”

https://epaper.timesgroup.com/Olive/ODN/TheEconomicTimes/PrintArticle.aspx?doc=ETD%2F2020%2F04%2F17&entity=ar00508&ts=202004162109… 1/2
4/17/2020 Short of Breath, Govt to Let in Used Ventilators - The Economic Times - Delhi, 4/17/2020

https://epaper.timesgroup.com/Olive/ODN/TheEconomicTimes/PrintArticle.aspx?doc=ETD%2F2020%2F04%2F17&entity=ar00508&ts=202004162109… 2/2