Supreme Court gives Maranhão a win against the government in ventilator battle

Supreme Court Justice Celso de Mello ordered that a Brazilian company must deliver 68 ventilators to the state of Maranhão amid its efforts to fight the Covid-19 pandemic, reports newspaper Folha de S. Paulo.

In March, the Health Ministry had blocked the sale of equipment, demanding that the ventilators be given to the federal government instead. 

As we reported on April 17, the case prompted Maranhão to import equipment through Ethiopia, to avoid confiscation by Brazil’s federal government or other countries. When arriving in São Paulo, the equipment was immediately transported to Maranhão, without following the due processes for goods entering the country. 

Brazil’s revenue authorities claimed the operation disrespected the country’s customs legislation and is suing the individuals and companies involved. Infraero, Brazil’s state-owned airport management firm, has also reported the case to the police. 

Despite the legal dispute, the Federal Revenue Service said that imported equipment will remain at the health units they were deployed to, to avoid harming any patients.

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