Examine possibility of using refurbished ventilators, says HC

CHANDIGARH: The Punjab and Haryana high court has asked the Centre to examine whether refurbished used ventilators procured by a Punjab firm can be put to use.

“We prime facie feel that in case, the aforesaid ventilators are put to use, it may be of help to some serious patients. A copy of the report be supplied to Mr Jain (additional solicitor general, Satya Pal Jain) to enable him to seek instructions, particularly, since it is a matter of saving lives of critical patients,” the bench of justice Rajan Gupta and justice Karamjit Singh said.

The court has acted on a plea of SB Medical Systems, a Punjab firm, which had approached HC in June, after its consignment of 32 used ventilators imported from USA , was not released by customs authorities.

The firm had argued that soon after Covid-19 outbreak, the Centre had allowed the import of used ventilators . They said they had also sought approval . However, by the time the consignment came, the Centre withdrew the notification, the court was told. The HC on July 15 had sought an expert opinion of doctors’, which, in its report , opined the “32 used ventilators are of reputed brands and were found to be in working condition. However, they may be put to use subject to certification of disinfection, effectiveness and assured maintenance by the refurbished company.”