Chinese factories work overtime to produce medical equipment for India

By Shifaan Ryklief On Apr 30, 2021

Chinese firms are working around the clock in aid of producing medical equipment to meet the surging demand in India, which is battling its second wave of the coronavirus.

Ventilator next to a hospital bed. — One of the world’s largest oxygen concentrator producers, Yuwell, is busy fulfilling orders from India. Employees are required to work one or two hours extra a day to meet demand and a dedicated emergency team dealing with the orders from India has been set up. Picture: Ian Landsberg/African News Agency (ANA)

CAPE TOWN, April 30 (ANA) – Chinese firms are working around the clock in aid of producing medical equipment to meet the surging demand in India, which is battling its second wave of the coronavirus.

The latest figures on the World Health Organization’s (WHO) website show that India has recorded over 18,762,976 confirmed Covid-19 cases and more than 208,330 deaths.

China Central Television (CCTV), a Chinese state-controlled broadcaster, reported on Wednesday that one of the world’s largest oxygen concentrator producers, Yuwell, located in Zhenjiang City, is busy fulfilling orders from India.

The firm, which is known for having one of the world’s longest production lines for oxygen concentrators, has been extended by 500 metres so that it can produce 100,000 concentrators a month.

“India is suffering from severe oxygen shortages in hospitals… their orders are urgent and must be fulfilled quickly,” said Yang Shengping, deputy director at Yuwell Medical Equipment.

“Our employees need to work for an extra one or two hours a day,” said Yang.

He added that they recently set up a dedicated emergency team that will deal with the orders from India.

In 2020, the Chinese medical equipment maker produced and exported more than 350,000 oxygen concentrators and, according to customs data, the country’s exports of antivirus products continue to rise.

According to South China Morning Post (SCMP), China had vowed to encourage its private companies to assist India and that Beijing would provide materials if requested by New Delhi.

“We will guide Chinese companies to actively co-operate with India to facilitate acquiring medical supplies, and provide support and help according to India’s need,” the Chinese embassy in India said in a statement on Monday.

– African News Agency (ANA); Editing by Yaron Blecher