The means available to the EU Member States are expected to allow them to meet only 10% of the demand for equipment. Demand has exploded due to the coronavirus pandemic, reports a dispatch published Wednesday 25 March by the Reuters news agency. The dispatch is based on an internal European Commission document dated the same day.
The Commission estimates that conventional supply chains will only be able to meet around 10% of the demand for protective equipment and other medical devices, such as artificial respirators. The institution adds that “the availability and delivery of personal protective equipment and other medical devices, in particular artificial respirators, remains a concern throughout Europe”. Most Member States, the Commission continues, have limited reserves and a limited capacity to accelerate production.
During their videoconference, Health Ministers invited the European Commission to track the capabilities of Member States to deal with COVID-19. However, these documents are being kept confidential. (Original version in French by Sophie Petitjean)