Oxygen

When the Eastern Highlands province experienced a sudden increase in COVID-19 cases early this year, hospital authorities were faced with insufficient supply of oxygen.

The Provincial Director for Public Health, Dr. Max Manape said when the province reported over 30 positive cases the patients with severe conditions were admitted with the hospital lacking oxygen cylinders.

“Severe cases of COVID-19 required oxygen as a major treatment but all at the same time presented difficulty,” he said.

The medical equipment are part of the ongoing support for PNG’s COVID-19 response and efforts to also help strengthen the country’s overall health system to be able to respond to future pandemics.

These essential lifesaving equipment comprising 10 ventilators donated by New Zealand government and 20 Oxygen Concentrators in collaboration with UNICEF PNG.

The 20 oxygen concentrators were sponsored by the Japanese government through the major funding support of 1.2 million US dollars or 3.6 million Kina, provided to UNICEF PNG.