BLACK MARKETERS ON THE PROWL
STAFF REPORTER GUWAHATI:
Pulse Oximeter, Mask & Sanitiser Price in Guwahati: The continuous flow of news about the shortages of medical oxygen in different parts of the country and also of the sudden fall in oxygen levels among many COVID-19 patients, have resulted in a sudden rise in the demand for pulse oximeters in the city. Taking advantage of the situation, black marketers have increased the prices of oximeters almost by 200%.
On the other hand, the prices of hand sanitizers and masks have also been increased by some retailers. Surgical triple layer masks which used to be sold in between Rs 10 to Rs 15 are now costing Rs 20 to Rs 25.
The pulse oximeter can be clipped on to the finger to measure the oxygen saturation levels, and the person can then know whether more treatment is necessary. An oxygen saturation level of 95% is considered normal.
"The pulse oximeters from various companies which used to be sold in between Rs 1,000 to Rs 1,600 till the first week of April, are now being sold at Rs 2,000 to Rs 2,800. I have bought the oximeter at Rs 2,000 after negotiating with the inflated price with a medical shop in the Bhangagarh area," said Nurul Islam whose brother is currently undergoing COVID-19 treatment at the GMCH (Gauhati Medical College & Hospital).
When this reporter approached various medical stores in the Pan Bazar area of the city, majority of the owners said that they were waiting for fresh stocks to arrive.
"We sold the last item just a while ago. Since my pharmacy is located near the MMCH (Mahendra Mohan Choudhury Hospital), there is a demand for the item from patients too. We have ordered for another batch of oximeters, which is expected to arrive on Friday," said a sales person at the pharmacy.
The retailers further said that there has been a shortage of oximeter even with the wholesalers due to the sudden rise in the number of sellers across Assam as well as other parts of the country. However, the buyers have rejected the retailers' arguments and accused the latter of trying to create a black market of oximeter.