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Medical teams are piling up in German warehouses. Masks and ventilators, which were urgently needed at the start of the corona pandemic, currently only take up space in many places. Where to put it
By Axel John, SWR
Claudia Dickes walks down a long corridor. The Bad Kreuznach district administrator has a large bunch of keys in her hand. The Christian Democrat opens several heavy doors and then stands at a warehouse. 50 fans pile up in front of her, packed and unused.
It is a grotesque situation. If the devices ventilated people with corona in hospitals in the Rhineland-Palatinate region, it would be a drama for those affected and their families. But Claudia Dickes now has a problem. She ordered all 50 fans in March. “Suddenly the opportunity to place an order arose. I made my decision out of fear of a corona wave and based on the forecasts of the Robert Koch Institute at the time,” she says. Bad Kreuznach now has a bill of 2.2 million euros.
The supply situation has completely changed
Now there are many criticisms of the purchase. So, did you act too hastily? “I had in mind the photos from Italy. I definitely wanted to avoid something like that in Bad Kreuznach,” says the district administrator and shakes her head. “It would be gross negligence if people die because they can’t be ventilated. If you can help and don’t do it, then you’re an accomplice. That’s why I made the decision then.”
Another place, a similar problem. The Federal Ministry of Health had also purchased massive quantities of medical equipment in the face of the spring pandemic. Health Minister Spahn had previously stated that Germany was well equipped.
Now, in late summer, the supply situation has completely changed. Even fans and masks are given away abroad. The Federal Ministry of Health is now presenting the new figures in a report. Thereafter, a total of 257 million masks will be shipped to Eastern Europe, the Western Balkans, the Near and Middle East, Africa, and Central and South America. The World Health Organization (WHO) is responsible for coordination and distribution.
“We didn’t know how bad it was going to be”
In addition, a total of 334 fans will go to Bosnia-Herzegovina, Kosovo and North Macedonia. The total present value is given in the report as a good 278 million euros. The list shows that the purchase price in the spring should have been significantly higher due to the huge international demand at that time. However, the Federal Ministry of Finance has approved the action.
According to the Ministry of Health, 4.2 billion surgical masks and 1.7 billion FFP2 and FFP3 masks will be delivered by the end of 2021. Fans are also threatened with full warehouses. The report shows that 26,231 ventilators have been ordered. However, the federal states have now only requested about 2000 devices. Renegotiations are ongoing with the manufacturers to reduce the number after all. Due to these discussions, critics accuse Minister Spahn of a chaotic purchasing policy.
Christian Democrat Spahn receives support from co-ruling coalition partner SPD. “We didn’t buy too much. We didn’t even know how bad it would be,” says Karl Lauterbach. The health policy spokesman is also in favor of giving away fans abroad. “We are very well positioned with long-term ventilators, even if the corona situation worsens. In intensive care units we will most likely get by without additional equipment. The machines are now needed abroad. Corona is a international joint task “.
Damage claims threaten
Lauterbach criticized the transmission of masks. “At the moment, masks are used every day in hospitals, in nursing homes and also for high-risk patients. So I would refrain from giving away masks.”
From Berlin back to Bad Kreuznach to see the district manager Bettina Dickes. The Christian Democrat cannot and does not simply want to give away fans. It is not yet clear how exactly the purchase should be invoiced. Opposition sections in the district council threaten to sue them for damages. Dickes wants to tackle the critical issues. “I did the best I could. I don’t regret it.”
