The fixing of maximum retail price of face masks, finger-tip pulse oximeter and other medical items by bringing it under the ambit of the Kerala Essential Articles Control Act has created a chaos in t
A frantic search for pulse oximeters in Kerala, their price shoots up too
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A volunteer uses an oximeter to check the oxygen level of a man. File
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REUTERS There seems to be an absolute shortage of pulse oximeter, the tiny equipment used to determine oxygen level in the blood, in Kerala, also leading to a steep rise in its prices across districts.
Falling of oxygen levels in blood is a major reason for death of COVID-19 patients. Those tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 along with suspected patients have been advised to use the meter to measure the oxygen levels regularly and seek medical help if their condition worsens.
Pulse oximeters in short supply as pandemic rages
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Dealers looking at possibilities of procuring the machines from alternate sources like Bengaluru
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Dealers looking at possibilities of procuring the machines from alternate sources like Bengaluru
Pulse oximeters used for measuring blood oxygen level, otherwise superfluous equipment considered surplus to the needs of households and were mostly used by health care facilities alone, are flying off the racks of medical shops that there is now a shortage of the machines thanks to the panic triggered by the sweeping second wave of the pandemic.
The demand for the equipment had died down considerably following the COVID-19 breakout last year. Not anticipating an even intense resurgence of the pandemic, medical shops and surgical equipment dealers stocked thin, and what little stock was available dried up in no time.