$37 million of PPE not fit for purpose

WELLINGTON: The Ministry of Health spent $37 million on personal protective equipment (PPE) that was not fit for purpose.

Its annual report for the year ended June shows the ministry spent $108 million on PPE for frontline staff in response to the spread of Covid19.

This included face masks, face shields, gloves and other protective clothing.

This cost includes a $71.5 million write down in the value of the PPE it had on hand.

About $37 million of this was spent on PPE which was defective or raised quality concerns, while the remaining $34.5 million was a result of equipment that was bought when prices were at a premium.

The ministry has been approached for comment. Association of Salaried Medical Specialists union executive director Sarah Dalton said the defective equipment was a consequence of not enough proactive investment in the public health sector, which left the ministry on the back foot when Covid19 emerged.

Ms Dalton said there was a need for transparency around which PPE manufacturers were used, and called for quality control measures to ensure equipment worked as it should.