Gujarat: Congress, BJP spar over Dhaman-1 ventilators

Congress alleged on Thursday that Gujarat government was playing with lives of coronavirus patients to promote 'Dhaman-1' ventilators me by a firm `owned by Chief Minister Vijay Rupani's friend'. ruling BJP called allegations baseless and said opposition party was maligning im of a local manufacturer.

On Wednesday, Gujarat government h defended its decision to procure Dhaman-1 ventilators, claiming that y were as good as any or ventilator and certified by a centrally accredited laboratory. Rajkot-based firm Jyoti CNC developed Dhaman-1 brand of ventilators and donated 866 of m to government in April at a time when re was an acute short of se machines following coronavirus outbreak, Principal Secretary, Health, Jayanti Ravi, told reporters on Wednesday. But state unit of Congress alleged that owner of Jyoti CNC, Parakramsinh Jeja, is Rupani's friend.

"Dhaman-1 is t a ventilator at all. It's just a mechanized ambu-bag to supply oxygen to body. We are t against any company. But we firmly believe that se so-called ventilators were procured just to promote a company owned by CM's friend," said Congress spokesperson Manish Doshi.

He asked state government to disclose how many patients were put on Dhaman-1 support and how many of m died. controversy erupted when Ahemedab civil hospital, in a letter to government, sought more vanced ventilators claiming that Dhaman-1 were t up to mark. ruling BJP refuted allegations saying even HAL Life Care, a central PSU, has placed an order to procure 5,000 Dhaman-1.

"We condemn Congress' attempt to malign reputation of a local manufacturer and dor. Congress must clarify wher y are against concept of `Vocal For Local'. This ventilator has received approval from three different testing entities," said Gujarat BJP Spokesperson Bharat Pandya.