NEWS BRIEFS
tional supplies could not be possible.
The testing was done at SITRA be-
tween 2nd February to 25th February
2020, and the results of the fabric
samples were referred to the techni-
cal experts to consider and decide on
the technical requirements for COVID-
19, considering the information on
nature and characteristics of SARS-
COVID-2 virus known by to the medi-
cal experts.
Ministry of Health & Family Welfare
finalised the technical requirement on
2nd March 2020, based on the indig-
enous availability of materials and the
technical requirement for a high level
of protection of the healthcare profes-
sionals who would deal with the
COVID-19 cases, in consultation with
medical experts in the field. The speci-
fication was published on the official
website of HLL Lifecare Ltd on 5th
March 2020, inviting manufacturers
having adequate capability to partici-
pate in the procurement process. So
far, proto type garments of six Indian
manufacturers have passed the pre-
scribed tests conducted at SITRA,
and two more manufacturers are forth-
coming as on date. In addition, more
and more manufacturers have been
invited to offer their proto type
samples, and come forward to meet
the requirement of the government. It
is for information of all that the tech-
nical specification, prices, and quan-
tity required are published on the offi-
cial website of HLL Lifecare Limited
(www.lifecarehll.com) and every po-
tential manufacturer in the country is
invited to participate in the endeav-
our of the government. The supply of
Body Coveralls from indigenous
manufacturers according the
MoH&FW’s revised technical require-
ment dated 2nd March 2020, has al-
ready commenced.
Further, in order to maintain a strong
reserve of these essential medical
products; Government has issued or-
ders banning of exports on all personal
protective equipment including Body
Coveralls, N-95 Masks, 2-ply/3-ply
Surgical Masks on 31st January 2020.Editor's Note: No further information about this product is available any-
where on the official website of the KVIC, the home page of which says:
"Page Last Updated on 18 February, 2020."
On request from the industry, and on the assurance that adequate supply of
2-ply/3-ply Surgical Masks at reasonable prices would be ensured, Govern-
ment lifted the ban on exports of Surgical Masks on 8th February. However,
the ban on exports was re-imposed on 19th March 2020, on all 2-ply/3-ply
Surgical Masks and the raw materials required for manufacture of such prod-
ucts. The export ban on Body Coveralls and N-95 Masks has since been in
force since 31st January 2020, a fact in contravention to the misleading infor-
mation published in the media.
It is assured that Ministry of Health & family Welfare, Department of Pharma-
ceuticals, and Ministry of Textiles are continuously working with various in-
dustry bodies, stakeholders and manufacturers on 24x7 basis, to streamline
the supply chain, remove bottlenecks and maintain a steady supply of all
materials required for the healthcare professionals.
List of Fabric Manufacturers as on 06.04.2020
As intimated by The South India Textile Research Association(SITRA), Fabric
samples of following entity has been tested and passed Synthetic Blood Pen-
etration Test (ASTM F1670/F 1670M-08(2014) .This is strictly for information
purpose.
NCM-APRIL 2020
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