Worrying Oxygen Shortage In the Country: Lives at Risk?
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- April 15, 2021
Kenya has seen a surge in the prevalence of Covid-19 patients, some of whom are in Intensive Care Units and require Oxygen.
The nation is in a state of distress as a result of oxygen shortage. Many patients, particularly those in life-threatening situations, are in danger. It has been confirmed that many hospitals have run out of oxygen, which is required for terminal Covid -19 patients, and that certain hospitals are suspending surgeries as a result of this account.
With 73 oxygen plants in the country, there is only 16% of the gas left. Health CS Mutahi Kagwe unveiled that most of these oxygen plants generate lower quality gas.
The Rift Valley region has been affected because the Hewatele Oxygen plant in Nakuru shut down on Monday. The Hewatele Oxygen plant in Siaya is also malfunctioning.
Due to oxygen shortage, Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Referral Hospital in Kisumu, which distributes oxygen to more than ten counties in Western Kenya with a demographic of five million people, had to halt surgeries.
The shortage of oxygen in county hospitals has arisen, and as such, the Health CS Mutahi Kagwe is requesting the people and organizations with oxygen cylinders deliver them for emergency situations.
The country has 50,000 medical cylinders, but only 60% of them are in use.
Oxygen consumption has doubled to 880 tons per month, up from 410 tons before the pandemic.
