Uganda gets WHO, Denmark 1000 oxygen cylinders to further COVID-19 battle

Courtesy of Denmark and the World Health Organisation (WHO), the Uganda Ministry of Health has

gotten a complete set of one thousand oxygen cylinders worth $233,000 for the management of its critical cases of COVID-19.

The set includes 1000 medical oxygen cylinders (J-type with a capacity of 6,800L), 1000 oxygen cylinder regulators and humidifier bottles.

Together, these 1000 cylinders when filled with oxygen and the associated accessories constitute equipment adequate to administer oxygen for up to 1000 COVID-19 patients requiring oxygen at any time.

Since the confirmation of the first case of COVID-19 in Uganda in March 2020, the country has experienced two major waves of the pandemic and is now responding to the new COVID-19 variant, Omicron.

The second wave experienced an increase in morbidity and mortality of 2.7% compared to the first wave (0.9%).

The deaths were attributed to insufficient oxygen supply in various regional referral hospitals.

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The Minister of Health, Dr Jane Ruth Aceng, who received the equipment, reacted that “the additional oxygen cylinders we’re receiving are an effective response to the current health needs. They will strengthen the management of critically ill COVID-19 patients throughout the country.”

She added that COVID-19 has shown the need to strongly equip health facilities with adequate medical equipment to better respond to emergency health problems.

Speaking as well, Nicolaj A. Hejberg Petersen, Danish Ambassador to Uganda, said, "The Government of Denmark remains committed to supporting the Government of Uganda in its fight against COVID-19 and in promoting good health in the country. We’re proud to partner with the World Health Organization to extend our support to the Ugandan government.”

Dr Yonas Tegegn Woldemariam of Uganda WHO also spoke. “The 1000 oxygen cylinders will enable the transportation and delivery of oxygen to COVID-19 patients’ health facilities across the country. The focus will be on areas where there is insufficient or no piped oxygen.”

He further explained that after managing critical patients of COVID-19, the equipment will then be made available to treatment centres to ensure continuity of essential health services and for the management of other diseases that require oxygen.

COVID-19 is an infectious disease caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Presently, most people infected with the virus are asymptomatic with mild to moderate symptoms, 10-15% may develop severe disease  while about 5% progress to critical respiratory illness.

The elderly and those with underlying conditions such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, chronic respiratory disease or cancer are more likely to develop severe disease.