Exports of Ventilators Allowed, Falling Case Fatality Rate Provides Opportunity
The Group of Ministers (GOM) on COVID-19 has considered
and agreed to the proposal of the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare
allowing the export of made-in-India ventilators. This decision has been
communicated to the Director General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) for further needed
action to facilitate the export of indigenously manufactured ventilators.
This significant decision comes on the heels of India
continuing to maintain a progressively declining low rate of case fatality of
COVID-19 patients, which currently stands at 2.15%, which means that fewer
numbers of active cases are on ventilators. As on 31st July 2020, only 0.22% of
the active cases were on ventilators across the country. Additionally, there
has been substantial growth in the domestic manufacturing capacity of
ventilators. Compared to January 2020, there are presently more than 20
domestic manufacturers for ventilators.
The export prohibition/restriction on ventilators was
imposed in March 2020 to ensure domestic availability to effectively fight
COVID-19. All types of ventilators were prohibited for
export vide DGFT Notification No. 53 w.e.f
24.03.2020.