Andhra Medical Glove Manufacturer Forced to Shut Plant Over LPG Supply Disruption
Wadi Surgicals Pvt Ltd, a manufacturer of nitrile examination gloves located at the Andhra Pradesh MedTech Zone in Visakhapatnam, announced on Thursday that it has been compelled to keep its production facility completely shut for the past four days. The shutdown is attributed to a critical shortage of LPG (liquefied petroleum gas) supplied by Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL), a situation the company links to the escalating conflict in West Asia.
Production Halt of Essential Medical Consumables
The disruption has brought the manufacturing of nitrile examination gloves to a standstill. These gloves are a vital medical consumable extensively used in hospitals, clinics, and laboratories across the country. Classified as a Class A medical device, they are fundamental for maintaining stringent infection control protocols, upholding hygiene standards, and ensuring the safety of both patients and healthcare workers.
Anindith Reddy, co-founder and managing director of Wadi Surgicals, emphasized that glove manufacturing is a continuous process requiring a stable and uninterrupted LPG supply. "The interruption has led to a complete stoppage of our production line," he stated. The plant reportedly consumes approximately 4,500 kilograms of LPG daily. Reddy warned that a prolonged shutdown could severely impact healthcare providers who depend on these gloves to protect their staff and patients.
Company Appeals for Government Intervention
The company stated that it has formally approached HPCL and relevant authorities, urgently requesting the restoration of LPG supply on a priority basis, given the essential nature of its product. Wadi Surgicals has also appealed to the government to intervene immediately to ensure an uninterrupted LPG supply to critical industrial sectors, enabling production to resume without further delay.
HPCL Denies Allegations, Cites Payment Issues
HPCL, however, has strongly refuted the company's claims. Mahesh Ram, LPG Zonal Head at HPCL, described the allegations as baseless, asserting that there is adequate LPG stock available for all essential services. He alleged that the supply disruption stemmed from Wadi Surgicals' failure to make payments for the LPG already supplied.
Wadi Surgicals Counters HPCL's Claims
In a sharp rebuttal, Mohammed Ali, procurement director at Wadi Surgicals, refuted HPCL's payment claim. He explained that the company's relationship with HPCL is governed by a formal supply agreement, which is backed by bank guarantees specifically designed to ensure an uninterrupted supply chain. "There are no outstanding dues on our part," Ali asserted. He further mentioned that the company is now raising debit notes to account for the daily financial losses incurred due to the production halt.
Ali also alleged that despite repeated daily communications via email, no HPCL official has responded to their concerns. He made a final appeal to both HPCL and government authorities to review the matter with utmost urgency and restore the LPG supply at the earliest possible moment.
The company has issued a stern warning that a continued disruption could lead to a significant shortage of nitrile examination gloves, potentially affecting supply chains to hospitals and medical facilities nationwide, thereby compromising healthcare delivery and safety standards.
