Covid-19: More patients have breathing difficulties, Lagos commissioner says

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By Aiyeku Timothy 

The Lagos State Commissioner for Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi, laments that the number of coronavirus patients having breathing difficulties in the state have increased.

This is coming after the Lagos State Government activated an Oxygen Plant within the premises of the Infectious Diseases Hospital, Yaba to provide swift support to COVID-19 patients who require oxygen therapy.

Abayomi, who activated the plant, said the increased cases call for the need for oxygen to treat COVID-19 patients in the second wave of the pandemic.

The Commissioner added that the plant will avail oxygen for COVID-19 patients and supply about 300 cylinders per day and six cylinders per hour for use of patients admitted at the isolation facility.

His words: “We recognized the importance of generating oxygen because of the large number of patients who are currently on admission in our isolation centres and are largely depending on oxygen. This has resulted in an escalating and alarming demand for oxygen.

“The oxygen plant facility could not have come at a better time than now, when the State is recording an increase in the number of people presenting with difficulty in breathing and requiring urgent oxygen therapy.”

Abayomi disclosed that a patient with a critical case may use about six cylinders of oxygen within 24 hours.

He explained that oxygen plants are industrial devices designed for regular supply into healthcare facilities adding that the plants separate oxygen from other air components by using pressure swing adsorption or membrane separation techniques.

The Commissioner averred that high purity oxygen is needed in healthcare facilities and essential for patients undergoing COVID treatments.

“This is particularly useful for patients with comorbidities who require prompt oxygen for survival. Oxygen from the plant will be very helpful for effective treatment due to proximity of the plant which serves as a source,” he added.

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