Indira Gandhi Memorial Hospital (IGMH) has stated it has an adequate supply of oxygen for COVID-19 patients.
Speaking at the daily press conference held at the National Emergency Operation Centre (NEOC), Director of Medical Services at IGMH, Dr. Ali Nazeem revealed oxygen is essential for critical patients and the hospital currently has enough supply for existing cases. Hence, the hospital is working to increase the stock of oxygen.
The doctor stated 4,100 cylinders is the estimated requirement for the country as approximately 1,000 people would need oxygen during the peak of the COVID-19 outbreak. Explaining the details of the requirement, he said an additional 1,000 must be in filling and another 1,000 must be en route to medical facilities since 1,000 will be in use simultaneously. He said the hospital acquires oxygen via Maldives Gas and from the oxygen compression plant located in the hospital. Tree Top Hospital in Hulhumale, which has recently been declared the primary hospital for the treatment of COVID-19 patients, uses jumbo oxygen cylinders.
Specifying the availability of stocks, Dr. Nazeem said while only 6 to 8 patients currently require oxygen, the supply of oxygen is adequate for 55 beds in Dharumavantha Hospital.
The administration has been taking various measures to increase the availability of machinery and other equipment used to treat COVID-19 patients apart from developing the human resources required for treatments.