Coronavirus: North Korea boosts production of drugs and medical equipment

North Korea is stepping up production of medicines and medical equipment, including disinfectants and thermometers, as it tries to deal with an unprecedented outbreak of covid-19, the state-run KCNA news agency reported today.

The isolated country, where a national lockdown has been imposed, is also increasing production of traditional Korean medicines used to treat fever and pain, the source added, calling them an “effective measure to prevent and treat the disease.”

An outbreak of covid-19, announced by North Korean authorities for the first time last Thursday, has heightened concerns about a shortage of medical supplies and vaccines in the country, with the UN Office for the Coordination of Human Rights warning “catastrophic” consequences of the epidemic for the 25 million North Koreans.

The South Korean news agency Newsis, citing lawmakers who have been briefed by the country’s intelligence service, said yesterday that the outbreak of covid-19 was due to the huge military parade that took place in Pyongyang on April 25 and is expected to reach its peak in May. in early June.

The KCNA has simply reported that a fever outbreak of unknown origin began in late April.

As of Wednesday night, at least 262,270 more people had developed symptoms of fever and one died, the North Korean news agency said, citing data from the epidemic prevention service. He did not specify how many people have tested positive for covid.

So far, North Korea has reported that 1,978,230 people have symptoms of fever and 63 have died, while the authorities have imposed strict measures.

The factories are producing more injections, medicines, thermometers and other medical equipment in Pyongyang and surrounding areas, while more isolation units are being set up across the country and disinfection work is intensifying, according to the KCNA.

“Thousands of tons of salt were transported to Pyongyang for antiseptic production,” he said.

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has already stigmatized the inefficient distribution of drugs and has criticized officials for their “immature” response to the epidemic.

As people in North Korea have not been vaccinated against covid-19 and no drugs are available, state media are urging citizens to use painkillers and antibiotics as well as traditional medicines and treatments, such as gargling.

The country’s state television also broadcast recommendations to citizens, urging them to wear two masks when away from home, something Kim himself did when he visited a pharmacy at the weekend.

Dale Fisher, a professor of medicine at the National University of Singapore, estimated that the extent of the North Korean health crisis may have been underestimated as there was a lack of diagnostic tests and the fact that many of the people infected with . He noted that the epidemic could have serious social and economic consequences for the country as people are unvaccinated.

“The best health systems around the world have struggled (…), so I estimate that the real health effects may not be accurately described,” Fischer said.

“It is necessary to launch an immediate vaccination campaign and in the meantime take important public health measures and make social interventions in order to slow down the spread” of covid, he added.

Both South Korea and the United States have offered to help North Korea deal with the epidemic, but have received no response from Pyongyang.

However, three South Korean Air Koryo aircraft flew to China and returned to North Korea on Monday carrying medical equipment, a diplomatic source said.

SOURCE: AMPE