At the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic, health workers across Africa warned their governments of shortages in the supply of medical oxygen. But numerous governments in the African continent ignored warnings. Now some of these nations are reporting a crisis as the unavailability of medical oxygen is causing deaths of patients.
Health Workers across African countries advise governments
Before the COVID-19 pandemic began, Africa only had 2,600 oxygen concentrators and 69 functioning oxygen plants. These plants could only meet less than half the needed supply of medical oxygen leading to the prevention of deaths from diseases like pneumonia. Since the pandemic began, the number of concentrators has grown to about 6,000. International donations have mostly contributed to the increase in such facilities in Africa. But the amount produced by these facilities hasn’t been enough. Moreover the oxygen produced isn’t pure enough for critically ill patients. So far, the number of available facilities that can produce pure oxygen concentrations is currently at 119.
Experts reveal that setting up a hospital oxygen plant only takes about 12 weeks to install. Additionally, they state it could take even less time to convert industrial oxygen manufacturing systems into a medical-grade network. But nations in the African continent only decided to address the issue of inadequate oxygen supplies across the continent last month. The decision came after most of these nations started seeing their hospitals overwhelmed and patients began to die.
Last year the World Bank set aside $50 billion to help Africa’s poor countries cope with the pandemic. Currently, $30.8 billion has already been allocated to some of these poor countries to use during this time. The World Bank furthers set aside $80 million for oxygen-related upgrades in developing nations. Despite the provision of such resources, the developing countries in Africa have chosen not to utilize them. Nearly $20 billion set aside for use still remain unused.
Different Countries and how they have dealt with medical Oxygen Shortages
When the World Bank allocated different sums of money to different countries, these nations’ governments choose what to do with it. Various government officials decide how much to spend and what to spend it on. Because some of these leaders don’t allocate funds to medical oxygen acquisition, then a country continues to suffer. Across the African continent with 1.3 billion people, some nations have already seen the results of not preparing by buying medical oxygen.
In Lagos, some families have even gone so far as to turn to the black market. Family members have seeked illegal means to acquire medical oxygen for their loved ones. President Muhammadu Buhari released $17 million to set up 38 more oxygen plants and another $670,000 to repair plants at five hospitals after patients started dying by the dozens. Meanwhile, in Egypt, only after the lack of oxygen caused the deaths of four people at a hospital did the government address the problem. In Malawi, on the other hand, the President keeps making empty promises to citizens saying the government will provide funding for protective gear for medical works. Additionally, the Malawian President promised the provision of funds to purchase 1,000 oxygen cylinders.
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