Last year, Belgium proceeded to the destruction of a strategic stock of several million FFP2 type protective masks which had reached their expiration date, but without renewing them for the sake of economy, reports Monday Le Vif on its website.

These approximately six million FFP2 masks had been acquired during the H1N1 flu epidemic in 2009. Last year, the government however decided to proceed with the destruction of these masks, which have reached their date. of expiration. But for the sake of economy in the health care budget, Minister Maggie De Block decided not to renew this reserve, says the news site. The latter supports his information on the basis of a copy of the minutes of the February 6 meeting of the Risk Management Group, which Vif obtained.

Minister De Backer evades the question in the RTL INFO 19H

The federal minister in charge of the fight against the mask shortage, Philippe De Backer (Open VLD, Flemish liberals), was interviewed live in RTL INFO 19H. Our presenter Caroline Fontenoy asked him for a reaction on the news from Vif. “Everything must be done for the moment so that in this moment of crisis we can obtain other masks. We can do analyzes everywhere to get masks now for the staff who are on the front line because it is important for them that they can treat patients in a secure environment. That is why the government is doing everything we can to get these masks. Not only surgeon masks, but also FFP2 and FFP3 masks“, responded Philippe De Backer.

After the minister evaded the question of the destruction of the masks, Caroline Fontenoy revived it: “But therefore you confirm that these masks were indeed destroyed. Will it serve as a lesson in the future? In other words, stocking up equipment to deal with this kind of crisis if necessary?“The Minister did not refute the assertion of our presenter. Here is his answer:”I think we have seen all over the world, for example in Korea, that there is a lot of change in health care systems. I think there are lessons to be learned. But for the moment my focus is really to secure the delivery of the material. Not just masks, but also get other materials for hospitals and health care staff“said the minister.

Authorities are desperately looking for masks

Since the emergence of the Covid-19 coronavirus in Europe, the Belgian authorities have sought in all directions to obtain protective masks, in particular of the FFP2 type, which are sorely lacking from medical personnel called upon to treat people suffering from, or suspected of being affected by the disease.

According to the latest data delivered by health authorities on Monday, Belgium has 3,743 confirmed cases of Covid-19 on its territory. No fewer than 1,643 people had to be hospitalized, and 88 lost their lives.

Philippe De Backer