Govt denies providing low-quality PPE kits

Chennai

The submission was made before a division bench comprising Justice R Subbiah and Justice Krishnan Ramasamy in response to a plea moved by advocate Jimraj Milton. But owing to certain paucity of details with the bench, the plea has been posted for further hearing to Friday.

The counter pointed out that PPE kits, N95 masks and triple layer masks supplied were as per the guidelines given by Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, and added that 2,07,639 PPE kits have been issued to healthcare workers so far. Almost 5,000 personnel have completed their quarantine period in government hospitals, it added.

Also, noting that specification of the mask supplied to healthcare workers was in accordance with the communicable disease alert, the counter said, “The government is taking all the steps to protect and safeguard the healthcare providers by issuing protective gear like PPE kits, N95 masks, triple layer masks and face shield.

“They are also provided tablets like zinc sulphate, vitamin C, Nilavembu Kudineer and Kabasura Kudineer herbal powders to enhance their immune system, and as a precautionary measure hydroxychloroquine tablets are issued as prophylaxis,” the counter added.

There were 3,371 ventilators available at all government medical college hospitals and the needy patients were being provided treatment with ventilators. As on date, 298 patients have been treated in the ICU, the counter added.