Prognosis
Kenyans Hoard Oxygen Cylinders, Starving Hospitals of Gas
- About 60% of medical oxygen cylinders aren’t circulating
- Medical oxygen demand surges to treat Covid-19 patients
Photographer: NurPhoto/Getty Images
This article is for subscribers only.
Kenyan hospitals are running out of oxygen as the number of Covid-19 patients surge and individuals and companies are holding onto cylinders that would normally be available to health facilities.
Demand for oxygen has more than doubled to 880 tons a month from 410 tons before the coronavirus pandemic struck, Health Secretary Mutahi Kagwe said in a televised briefing. The nation has 50,000 medical oxygen cylinders, but only 60% of them are in circulation, said Marion Gathoga-Mwangi, managing director of BOC Gases Ltd,.