Usability of PPE depends on sterility — NHAK official

Our Correspondent
Kohima, April 18 (EMN): Following the news of an “old stock” of PPE, its packaging dating back to 2007, being allegedly provided at Naga Hospital Authority Kohima (NHAK), a health official informed that the usability of Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) is based on sterility, and depends on the type of environment healthcare workers work in. 

The public information officer of NHAK Dr. Sendimeren Aonok, at a press briefing, clarified that ‘though it was manufactured in 2007, it (durability) is basically to do with sterility’, as PPE is supposed to be sterile. 

In one of the regular video conferencing meetings with the central government, Aonok had queried about the usability of the PPE produced in 2007.

According to him, the response from the central officials was: “Doctor, you must understand that you are not going to work under a sterile environment but you’re going to work under an unsterile and infectious environment.” 

The officer and his colleagues were further advised to be careful and ‘try to go in full, double, and triple protection’.

Therefore, based on that, quality materials of PPE have been provided by the centre, Aonok informed.

‘Nevertheless, it is our responsibility to see to it that the patients are taken care,’ he said, while adding that they are taking precautionary measures and wear double layers of protection to be on the safe side.

Speaking further on the sterility, the officer said that using PPE in a sterile environment, like surgery is “not applicable”. However, in an infectious or unsterile environment such as Covid-19, using PPE “will protect you”.

He also spoke about the standard code (BSI) of PPE, as there are many manufacturing companies. However, he said that India is yet to receive clearance of the BSI. ‘Therefore, we cannot be choosy about BSI as PPE is in demand everywhere,’ he added.