Ventilators that were purchased by the United Kingdom from China can be harmful and fatal to COVID-19 patients according to British medical professionals. Senior doctors and other medical managers voiced concerns on the 250 units of ventilators after they found them to be “faulty.”

In a letter that was seen by NBC News, the doctors warned that if these ventilators from China are distributed in hospitals, they could do more harm than good and even cause the death of a coronavirus patient. It was learned that the units are the Shangrila 510 model and they were built by Beijing Aeonmed Co. Ltd., a leading ventilator manufacturer in The Red Dragon.

They detailed the concerns in the letter like the problematic oxygen supply, confusing instruction manual, issues with getting it cleaned and feature an unfamiliar design that makes it confusing for doctors and nurses to use. Medics also pointed out that the ventilators that they received are not for hospital use but more fitting for ambulances.

The letter was addressed to a senior NHS official and medical staffs want the ventilators to be replaced immediately for the safety of the patients. The request for replacements came just nine days after the machines arrived from China.

At that time, since there is a serious shortage of ventilators in countries that are dealing with massive COVID-19 infection, the arrival of the units was considered as something to be thankful for. Thus, Michael Gove, a UK cabinet secretary, said that the NHS had been bolstered by the delivery and it even thanked China for it.

"We've been buying invasive ventilators from partners abroad, including Germany and Switzerland, and today 300 new ventilators arrived from China," Reuters quoted Gove as saying in a press conference in early April. "I'd like to thank the Chinese government for their support in securing that capacity."

Just a little over a week later, the UK wants to return the ventilators and have them replaced after a group of doctors issued a warning - stating that the 250 units of the Shangrila 510 model are could be fatal when used in hospitals.

"We believe that if used, significant patient harm, including death, is likely," part of the letter reads. "We look forward to the withdrawal and replacement of these ventilators with devices better able to provide intensive care ventilation for our patients."

Coronavirus COVID-19 temporary hospital - Central Park, New York
A temporary hospital is built in Central Park on the East Meadow lawn on March 30, 2020 in New York City. The facility is a partnership between Mt. Sinai Hospital and Christian humanitarian aid organization Samaritan's Purse, equipped with 68 beds to treat COVID-19 patients. John Lamparski/Getty Images

© 2024 Latin Times. All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.