Rs. 1 Mask Sold For Rs. 25 Due to Coronavirus
A severe shortage of surgical masks has led to a massive increase in its price. The Coronavirus scare has led to hospitals stocking up on all medical necessities.
Many hospitals in Mumbai are very worried about the Coronavirus spreading. Because of this they are stocking up on all the medical necessities required if the infection spreads in Mumbai.But the vendors are now selling the Rs 1 surgical mask for Rs 25. This is a huge increase in the price. Hospitals usually buy the masks in bulk. Each box has 100 masks. Because of this they will have to pay a huge amount. Hospitals have said that, we can’t cancel surgeries. So, we have to buy them at whatever price the supplier quotes. They have said that, so far the virus has not reached mumbai, but if it does, they do not know they will manage
Vendors claim that the hike in price is because of shortage as they are exporting masks to other countries. 241.3 million medical disposal masks are made in India each year. But there is a severe shortage of surgical masks as China is the largest manufacturer in the world.N95 masks are the recommended protection against the coronavirus but the stocks are getting over because of export to China. But it’s not known how many N95 masks are made in the country.
On January 31, the central government had banned the export of personal protection equipment, including surgical and N95 masks were banned after cases of coronavirus were confirmed in India. However the ban was revoked after India offered to help the Chinese government to manage the pandemic.However, the export of N95 masks is still restricted but still there is a severe shortage.
