Ukraine-Russia: NHS plans to replace two products made in Belarus

Two products in NHS Scotland’s supply chain which are made in Belarus may be replaced over the ongoing war in Ukraine.

NHS National Services Scotland (NSS) said it is seeking alternatives without having a negative impact on patient care.

There are no products in the supply chain which are made in Russia, and no health boards are supplied gas or electricity by Russian majority state-owned Gazprom, NSS said.

A spokesperson for the Scottish Government said they were not aware of any other NHS Scotland contracts with Russian or Belarusian firms, but added that all health boards were reviewing their supply chains.

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon is given a tour by Gordon Beattie, Director of National Procurement for NHS National Services Scotland, during a visit to the NHS National Services Scotland Titan logistics facility on March 2, 2022 in Bellshill, Scotland. Photo by Pool/Getty Images

The majority of mainland health boards separately confirmed they had no further contracts with Russian or Belarusian companies.

NHS Ayrshire and Arran and NHS Dumfries and Galloway were not able to respond in time.

NSS director of national procurement Gordon Beattie said “At the present time we have identified only two products across our national contract portfolio that are manufactured in Belarus.

"We are currently reviewing alternative supply options whilst ensuring no direct impact on patient care.”

Neighbouring country Belarus has been accused of supporting Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, and is one of only five countries not to sign a UN resolution condemning it.

A Scottish Government spokesperson said: “All health boards are currently reviewing their supply chains to determine whether they have any suppliers from these countries, so they can begin to put alternative arrangements in place.

“We are not aware of any other NHS Scotland contracts with Russian and Belarusian suppliers other than the suppliers identified by NHS National Services Scotland.”

The Government has urged Scottish businesses to stop trading with Russia.

In an open letter published last week, finance and economy secretary Kate Forbes asked companies to take “economic action” by reviewing operations for links and connections to Russia and severing them.

"We all have a moral duty right now to consider what else we can do to try to stop Putin’s aggression, including via economic action," she said.

She added: “The Scottish Government and its economic agencies will use all available powers not to support trade and investment activity with Russia.

"Businesses will be supported as they adapt to remove links with Russia, and should contact our economic agencies for more advice and support in this regard.”

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