In 40 regions there are delays in the issuance of artificial lung ventilation

ALS is a disease that causes progressive muscle paralysis. At least in 40 Russian regions, people suffering from this disease cannot count on timely receipt of artificial lung ventilation devices, Izvestia writes, referring to a letter from the Live Now Foundation to the Ministry of Health.

According to the law "On the Basics of Health Protection", the regions are obliged to provide patients at their own expense who, while on home treatment, need vital medical equipment. The agency approved the list of equipment in 2019. The list includes artificial lung ventilation devices (ventilators), coughers, aspirators, oxygen generators and consumables for people with ALS. The patient should receive them within eight days.

The appeal says that, despite the obvious need for early purchases, there is no equipment in medical institutions, which means that it cannot be transferred to patients. Of the 40 regions where there are problems with the supply of necessary medical equipment to citizens, the most difficult situation is in the Kaluga, Smolensk, Vladimir and Orenburg regions, as well as the Khabarovsk Territory, Mordovia and North Ossetia.

Today, about 15 thousand people are considered to be ALS patients in the country. The Foundation asked the Ministry of Health to send an explanation to the regions regarding the correct and timely procedure for the formation and procurement of medical products.