Australia buys ventilators fearing flu pandemic:
This article was originally published in Clinica
Executive Summary
Australia has spent Aus$6.2m (US$4.6m) to purchase 303 ventilators and is negotiating the purchase of 11 more. The investment is to ensure that hospitals have sufficient resources in case of an influenza pandemic, which would produce a high incidence of severe breathing disorders. The machines - some portable and some for use in intensive care units - were sourced from Melbourne-based medtech company Draeger Medical Australia. The further 11 will be portable machines. The number of ventilators given to each state and territory was determined by number of patients. The government has pledged Aus$180m over five years to prepare and respond to the potential threat.