The European Union is expected to distribute nearly 200 disinfection robots to European hospitals as part of the fight against Covid-19. This distribution could begin in November, at a rate of 50 robots per month. We read this information in the latest minutes of the Health Security Committee, published on 12 October.
“In the context of the Covid-19 pandemic, disinfection robots could help limit the spread of the virus and protect medical staff and patients while relieving cleaning staff of the risky activity of disinfection”, the report said.
According to the Commission, demand has exploded in recent months: more than 500 hospitals in the EU and the UK said they need these robots in an online survey launched in June. The Commission therefore intends to use the Emergency Support Instrument to purchase 200 disinfection robots for European hospitals.
Member States’ concerns
At the meeting of the Health Committee on 24 September, Commission representatives focused on reassuring the more reserved Member States.
Sweden and Germany, in particular, questioned the effectiveness of such robots and requested further information on their practical use. “Hydrogen peroxide disinfection robots have already been evaluated in Sweden, but the health authorities did not consider them useful”.
Germany expressed the same reservations, adding concerns regarding the health aspect. To which the Commission replied that “disinfection robots can be operated entirely from outside the room” and that, “therefore, the operator will not be exposed to UV light”.
The country, along with France, Italy, Estonia and Latvia, is also asking the Commission about hospitals in its territory that indicated an interest in EU-funded robots in the online survey.
See the review: https://bit.ly/3jYjMdc (Original version in French by Sophie Petitjean)