With the increasing number of COVID-19 positive cases in Manipur, many health workers need steady supply of Personal Protective Equipment (PPEs), including coveralls. In view of it, a local firm in the state had been contacted by state government officials to manufacture around 500 coveralls.
However, the state government authorities are yet to officially procure the items. Only Thoubal District Hospital had been given 10 coveralls for doctors and nurses, a source told Imphal Press Press.
It was notified that the coveralls should be made out of materials certified by the government of India. Since then, one firm in Imphal - Romi Bag Industries - had procured certified SSMMS (Spunbond x 2, Meltblown x 2 and Spunbond x 1) from South India Textile Research Association (SITRA) and Defence Research & Development Establishment (DRDE) of Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).
The firm has now commenced manufacturing PPE coveralls. The coverall is yet to be tested at Metal & Steel Factory Ishapore, West Bengal, one of the eight labs in India approved for testing PPE coveralls.
The central government has approved eight laboratories for testing of PPE coveralls. These are SITRA in Coimbatore, DRDO-INMAS in New Delhi, Heavy Vehicle Factory in Chennai, Small Arms Factory in Kanpur, Ordnance Factory in Muradnagar, Ordnance Factory in Ambarnath, Metal and Steel Factory in Ishapore, West Bengal.
