'Entire supply chain at risk': Manufacturers' body writes to govt, demands vaccination of staffers

The manufacturers' body said the risk to the life of staffers involved in the supply chain can jeopardise the entire supply chain, leading to hospitals running short of supplies.

Medical equipment manufacturers in the country have written to the central and state governments to prioritise vaccination of all staffers involved in the supply of medical devices and pharmaceutical industry, saying the risk to their lives can jeopardise entire supply chain, leading to hospitals running short of supplies.

In a letter, the Association of Indian Medical Device Industry (AIMED), an umbrella body of manufacturers of medical equipment, said many owners and workers of the medical equipment supply chain have passed away due to Covid-19 in the last month.

"Medical devices and pharmaceutical industry and distribution and retail supply chain is considered an essential product and services. We can also relax at home and take a 2-4 week break but risk going out to work daily since over 14 months but are not in any Central or State government's priority list of vaccination to ensure protecting those who help protect the public," Rajiv Nath, forum coordinator, AIMED, said.

"Meanwhile, employees fall ill as not vaccinated and production losses are there and supply chain disruptions leading to localised shortages. Today there’s shortages of oxygen and oxygen cylinders and oxygen concentrator, tomorrow maybe for oxygen masks, IV sets and basics like syringes. Is fire fighting the only way or threatening to shut down as announced by the chemists association or we should be focused on preventive measures and management of limited resources by prioritised access that no one will question as being unjustified," he added.

As many as half a dozen owners of various medical equipment companies have succumbed to Covid-19. The traders have demanded all the state governments and the Centre to consider them as frontline workers and vaccinate them on priority.

"Following the letter, Haryana government has put medical equipment workers under priority 3 for vaccination, an order regarding the same has been issued," said Nath.

News Originally taken from: https://www.indiatoday.in/coronavirus-outbreak/story/medical-equipment-union-supply-chain-staffers-covid-19-1806532-2021-05-25