Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi (SP)

Udupi, Mar 31: The district administration has decided to get personal protective equipment (PPE) being used by doctors and nurses involved with the treatment of coronavirus patients manufactured locally.

The number of coronavirus suspects and positive persons getting admitted to hospitals in the district is on the rise. The state is facing a shortage of PPE. Therefore, the administration, which wants to make sure that the doctors and other staff do not face any health issues, has decided to make this kit in the district.

In the initial stage, the administration wants to get 1,000 PPE kits made, without waiting for the kits being distributed by the government through the district health and family welfare department. The kits made in the district would be provided to hospitals which are handling coronavirus patients.

These kits have spectacles, face mask, protective gear of the face, hand gloves, gown, headcover and shoe cover. They are made as per the guidance of the World Health Organization and are meant to protect the doctors and health staff during the handling of coronavirus suspects and patients.

Each of these kits cost between Rs 2000 to 3,000. So far, over 128 persons have been subjected to tests in the district for which over 1,000 kits have been used.

The district administration will be releasing the grant needed for the procurement of the PPEs from out of its natural disaster fund. It has already given the order for the supply of the first phase of these kits which will be used as and when necessary. Deputy commissioner of the district, G Jagadeesh, said that the PPE kit manufacture has already begun in the unit identified by the district administration. He said that the government has also promised to supply these kit soon.