MOSCOW, RUSSIA - APRIL 26, 2020: Admissions Department chief Anna Babayan and pediatrician Natalya Maslova put on protective gear before starting a shift in an infectious diseases center opened at a high-tech surgery unit of the National Medical Research Center for Children's Health of the Russian Healthcare Ministry. Having the bed capacity of 300, with 30 beds in an intensive care unit and 8 operating rooms, the center treats young patients with suspected or confirmed COVID-19 coronavirus infection. Valery Sharifulin/TASS (Photo by Valery SharifulinTASS via Getty Images)
Russian President Vladimir Putin acknowledged shortfalls in personal protective equipment for Russian medical personnel amid the coronavirus pandemic.
In a teleconference with regional governors Tuesday, Putin said Russia has managed to ramp up production of protective gear but added, “compared to what [production] was before, it’s a lot. But compared to what we need now, it’s still not enough.”
The president has faced criticism in Russia for sending ventilators and protective equipment to the US and Italy while the virus spread.
In his remarks Tuesday, Putin said Russian authorities had “put the brakes on” the spread of coronavirus. However, Russia has surpassed both Iran and China in the number of confirmed cases.
