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COVID-19: Army begins production of oxygen to offset hospital shortage

Medical Oxygen Cylinders for Hospital Use

*Uganda’s Military has started producing medical oxygen to bridge supplies in hospitals experiencing increasing cases of the novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic in the country

Emmanuel Akosile | ConsumerConnect

In view of the acute shortage of the product and hundreds of patients in severe to critical condition in the country, Uganda’s Military has started producing medical oxygen to bridge supplies in hospitals experiencing increasing cases of the novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

Army spokesperson Flavia Byekwaso said by phone Tuesday, June 15, 2021, that the country’s National Enterprises Corporation, a unit of the Army, has begun output at its Luwero Industries Limited unit, in north of Kampala, the capital, reports Kampala-based Daily Monitor Newspaper.

Four oxygen plants at Mulago Hospital, Uganda’s main referral facility, produce 2,083 liters of oxygen per minute, compared with demand of as much as 70 liters per minute for each patient in critical condition, report stated.

It was learnt Mulago has 195 COVID-19 patients in a severe to critical condition in the hospitals in Kampala.

Health Ministry Spokesman Emmanuel Ainebyoona reportedly declined to comment when asked for details about the supply and demand of medical oxygen in the country.

It is noted that COVID-19 patients have more than doubled at Ugandan health facilities since the end of May this year to 920, and the country’s test positivity rate is 17.1 percent, according to the ministry.

Infections in the East African country have climbed 34 percent since May 31 to 63,099, with 434, having died since the disease was first detected in the country March 2020.

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