WHO chief says Ukraine hospitals might run out of medical oxygen in 24 hours

 

The World Health Organization (WHO) has warned that thousands of lives are at risk in Ukraine as medical oxygen supplies are diminishing dangerously amid the Russian military operation there.

WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus and the WHO Regional Director for Europe Dr Hans Henri P. Kluge on Monday called for critical medical supplies to safely reach those who need them.

“The oxygen supply situation is nearing a very dangerous point in Ukraine,” said Dr Tedros. “Trucks are unable to transport oxygen supplies from plants to hospitals across the country, including the capital Kyiv. The majority of hospitals could exhaust their oxygen reserves within the next 24 hours. Some have already run out. This puts thousands of lives at risk.”

The Russian military operation in Ukraine entered its fifth day on Monday, thought talks opened between the two countries’ delegations on the Belarus border.

The WHO chief noted that besides the risk of running out of oxygen supply, critical hospital services are also being jeopardized by electricity and power shortages.

Ukraine also continues to face the challenge of COVID-19.

The Eastern European nation has some 1,700 people in hospital due to COVID-19, according to WHO.

By Monday, Ukraine had recorded a total of 4,809,624 infections with 105,505 fatalities.

“Despite the challenges posed by the current situation, WHO is working to ensure a supply of oxygen-related medical devices and trauma treatment supplies,” said Dr Tedros.