Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) refers to protective gears used for personal protection of users working in different hazardous conditions, including for healthcare professionals. During the COVID-19 pandemic bio hazard Personal Protective Equipment (PPEs) suitable for COVID-19 protection   (ISO-16003 Class – 3) were developed and manufactured in the country. Development and production of two of its major components i.e. Body Coveralls and N-95 Masks were coordinated by the Ministry of Textiles.  As per estimates based in inputs provided by the industry, the country has manufactured nearly 6 crore PPE Body Coveralls and 15 crore N-95 masks during April to December 2020 period.

Nearly 1100 manufacturers had registered for PPE Body Coveralls and more than 200 manufacturers for N-95 mask manufacturing. The production capacity in the country achieved is 4.5 Lakh per day for PPE Body Coveralls and 32 Lakh per day for N-95 production. As per Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Government of India has procured 1.56 crore PPE Body Coveralls and 2.79 Crore N-95 masks. In addition, State Government agencies, private hospitals, individuals also have procured PPE Coveralls and N-95 masks extensively. 

Technical requirements of PPE Coveralls and N-95 masks are governed by Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS), IS 17423:2020 for PPE Body Coveralls and IS 9473:2002 for N-95/ FFP-2 masks.  The average market size of this newly created industry is around Rs.7000 crores.

(Countries which received official assistance from Government of India are China, Israel, Iran, Italy, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Ethiopia, Jordan, Botswana, Azerbaijan, Serbia, Germany, Spain, USA, UAE, DR Congo, South Africa, Afghanistan, Australia, Malaysia, Saudi Arabia, Bahamas, Barbados, Dominica, Grenada, Haiti, St. Kitts & Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Vincent & the Grenadines, Suriname, Trinidad & Tobago, Jamaica, Belize, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, Panama, Guatemala, Ecuador, Bolivia, Cuba, Peru, Venezuela, Paraguay.

This information was given in a written reply by the Union Minister of Textiles, Smt. Smriti Zubin      Irani in Lok Sabha today.

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