The World Health Organization (WHO) has called on other countries with low transmission of the 2019-novel coronavirus acute respiratory disease (2019-nCoV ARD) not to stockpile face masks and protective suits and reserve it for those really need it.
In a media briefing, Dr. Tedros Anhanom Ghebreyesus said they are sending testing kits, masks, respirators and gowns to countries in every region.
However, he acknowledged that the world is facing severe disruption in the market for personal protective equipment (PPE).
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He emphasized that the demand now is up 100 times higher than normal and prices are also up 20 times higher.
“This situation has been exacerbated by widespread, inappropriate use of PPE outside patient care. As a result, there are now depleted stockpiles & backlogs of 4-6 months. Global stocks of masks & respirators are now insufficient to meet the needs of WHO & our partners” he said.
In Cebu City, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) has confiscated several boxes of overpriced face masks and even fake masks made out of paper.
These were being sold at P10 in the morning and prices go up to as high as P20 in the evening.
Most of those that were confiscated were sold at the sidewalks in the downtown area of Cebu City.
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DTI has also noted that prices have gone up for surgical and N95 masks in pharmacies that also sell them.
WHO estimates that global frontline health emergency responders will require approximately 7% to 10% of market capacity. This percentage may be higher for other critical supplies.
WHO said frontline health workers in China require the bulk of PPE supplies.
Dr. Tedros said he spoke to the Pandemic Supply Chain Network to ensure that PPE supplies get to those who need them.
He again reiterated that the health workers are those who really need them are their priority.
Meanwhile, he praised those companies who took the decision to only supply masks to medical professionals.
