COVID-19: As active cases continue to fall, 'Made-in-India' ventilators may soon be greenlit for export

The Group of Ministers (GOM) meet on COVID-19 has considered and agreed to the proposal of Union Health Ministry allowing the export of Made-in-India ventilators. 

The decision has been communicated to the Director-General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) for further needed action to facilitate the export of indigenously manufactured ventilators.

This decision comes on the heels of India continuing to maintain a declining low rate of case fatality of COVID-19 patients, which currently stands at 2.15%, which means that fewer numbers of active cases are on ventilators. 

As of 31st July 2020, only 0.22% of the active cases were on ventilators across the country. 

Additionally, there has been substantial growth in the domestic manufacturing capacity of ventilators. Compared to January 2020, there are presently more than 20 domestic manufacturers for ventilators. 

The export prohibition/restriction on ventilators was imposed in March 2020 to ensure domestic availability to effectively fight COVID-19. 

All types of ventilators were prohibited for export w.e.f 24.03.2020. 

Now with the export of ventilators having been allowed, it is hoped that domestic ventilators would be in a position to find new markets for Indian ventilators in foreign countries.