Over 100 Ventilators Currently in Active Use – Dr. Tufton

The public health system is currently utilising 118 ventilators, with an additional forty undergoing maintenance.

The update was provided by Health Minister, Dr. Christopher Tufton, at a media briefing on Thursday.

Dr. Tufton again dismissed suggestions by his opposition counterpart, Dr. Alfred Dawes, that some of the machines could not be accounted for.

Chevon Campbell tells us more.

According to the Health Minister, there’s a total of 210 ventilators in inventory.

Of that number, 118 are in active use.

Dr. Tufton was providing an update regarding the machines following claims by Opposition Spokesman on Health, Dr. Alfred Dawes, that over one hundred of the machines donated during the COVID-19 pandemic were unaccounted for.

The Health Minister made it clear that every machine can be traced and none are missing.

Despite the number of ageing and outof-service  machines, Dr. Tufton notes that the over one hundred currently being used represent the highest total number of machines in the public health system in history.

He’s questioning the political mischief being perpetrated by Dr. Dawes.

Meanwhile, Chief Medical Officer, Jacqueline Bisasor McKenzie, says the main challenge being faced by the health system is not a shortage of ventilators but critical care staff.