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Medical specialists warn of potential oxygen crisis

2 May 2021 03:38 pm - 16     - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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While saying that oxygen is considered the most important medical need for COVID-19 at present, the Association of Medical Specialists (AMS) said stocks of oxygen are likely to be in short supply and therefore the authorities must take all necessary steps to avoid a crisis.

AMS President Dr Lakkumar Fernando said since there is no firmly established cure for this disease, symptomatic treatment is the mainstay till the recovery is reached.

“However, Oxygen and ICU care play a crucial role in critical cases and we should ensure that there will be a constant and uninterrupted availability of oxygen supplied beds if we are to avert disaster. Apparently, being a financially stronger regional giant, India is facing immense hardships due to shortage of oxygen right now,” he pointed out.

“To the best of our knowledge, there are two companies that supply oxygen to health care facilities and these manufacturers can easily increase their production almost three fold. Together they now produce around 75 tons of oxygen per day of which a portion is supplied for industrial use. They can divert all their oxygen production to health if the need arises and Sri Lanka has sufficient source of supply,” Dr Fernando underlined.

“However, the more important issue is the delivery of this oxygen to patient’s bedside. The best way to do this is to have piped oxygen distributed from a central liquid oxygen tank rather than using cylinders. Unfortunately, the whole country only has 28 such liquid oxygen tanks installed in hospitals. The sizes range from 3000 to 20000 litres, but there are only two 20,000 size tanks one each at National Hospital and Peradeniya and others are relatively smaller. With the current Covid being highly transmissible, taking patients to hospitals with larger tanks may not be an option as many of these hospitals mainly cater to non-covid patients," he said.

Dr Fernando also said spreading the disease within a hospital could also result in disaster.

“With this the system will still have to largely depend on jumbo cylinders where each can carry 47 liquid litres that produce 7050 gas litres of oxygen,”

“Managing oxygen between hospitals and delivering to the individual patient will certainly need intelligent planning and extreme coordination of production, storage and efficient delivery. For this, we need to utilise the services of relevant experts in these fields to design and implement the best national plan and it should be kept strictly apolitical. If such action is not taken in this crucial juncture, we will be another nation who has “planned to fail” as we have “failed to plan”, he stressed.

Accordingly, the Dr Fernando on behalf of the AMS urged the authorities to consider all above facts and make prompt decisions based on scientific facts and rational thinking to face the present Covid 19 situation.

“The AMS is ready to provide the government and health authorities its maximum support at this hour of need,” Dr Fernando added. (Sheain Fernandopulle)


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  Comments - 16

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  • Nadi Karunaratne Sunday, 02 May 2021 04:28 PM

    We were given fair warning and ample evidence from the unfolding tragedy in India but the response has been piecemeal and lacking the necessary urgency. The politicians and military should have the humility and good sense to defer to health professionals. They have been told by the PHI's what must done so lock down now as better late than never and close critical borders.

    Samson Sunday, 02 May 2021 04:31 PM

    We should have modernised the hospitals some years back with facilities such as piped oxygen. Can someone work on this at this late stage.

    Shiran fernando Sunday, 02 May 2021 04:39 PM

    Hope task force has already recognize, access and act on necessary measures. It is the job of a task force.

    Asanka Sunday, 02 May 2021 05:16 PM

    Thank you Dr. Fernando for being so honest and give us proper information. But also be careful: the dictator and his commander will not like your warning

    Seqi Sunday, 02 May 2021 06:02 PM

    Recently a qualified gent said there was no need to worry as there is a plentiful supply of oxygen... I understand the different approaches.... the former will order when supplys run out... the latter will order so new supplies come a few days before running out..... the government really needs to get its act together.... There is too much fake news coming from all and sundry.

    Fernando Sunday, 02 May 2021 07:34 PM

    Thanks sad fact is some are waiting for the situation to get worsened. Their FB says it all. Instead of looking at everything in an opposition point of view, they should support the nation to overcome this situation.

    Bayya Sunday, 02 May 2021 08:01 PM

    Have anyone updated this to sugar daddy?

    Sunil Monday, 03 May 2021 05:52 AM

    Why order now? Wait until it is too late?

    Lumbini Monday, 03 May 2021 06:21 AM

    Need to wait for the Commander.

    King Monday, 03 May 2021 06:36 AM

    Sri Lankans don't need oxygen. Ask Sanath Nishantha, the genius who asked "oxygen kannada?".

    Martin Milton Monday, 03 May 2021 07:55 AM

    This was coming, and many could see. Government spokespeople will yet again try to 'cover up' by giving various excuses. It will turn out to be like India very soon. The people are 3/4 to blame for NOT following strict Medical advice. However the Government is lagging behind so much without actively ensuring adequate supply of ICU beds and supplies of vital OXYGEN. Despite Media highlighting these aspects the GOSL Ministers who are responsible seem to be sitting 'twiddling their thumbs'. !! Please get on to this problem as soon as possible otherwise all of you will be smeared as mere lazy grabbers. GOSL Dept of Health has been criticised so much recently for failing to act promptly on urgent matters. What on earth are these Ministers doing?? MM

    Martin Milton Monday, 03 May 2021 07:55 AM

    This was coming, and many could see. Government spokespeople will yet again try to 'cover up' by giving various excuses. It will turn out to be like India very soon. The people are 3/4 to blame for NOT following strict Medical advice. However the Government is lagging behind so much without actively ensuring adequate supply of ICU beds and supplies of vital OXYGEN. Despite Media highlighting these aspects the GOSL Ministers who are responsible seem to be sitting 'twiddling their thumbs'. !! Please get on to this problem as soon as possible otherwise all of you will be smeared as mere lazy grabbers. GOSL Dept of Health has been criticised so much recently for failing to act promptly on urgent matters. What on earth are these Ministers doing?? MM

    Martin Milton Monday, 03 May 2021 07:55 AM

    This was coming, and many could see. Government spokespeople will yet again try to 'cover up' by giving various excuses. It will turn out to be like India very soon. The people are 3/4 to blame for NOT following strict Medical advice. However the Government is lagging behind so much without actively ensuring adequate supply of ICU beds and supplies of vital OXYGEN. Despite Media highlighting these aspects the GOSL Ministers who are responsible seem to be sitting 'twiddling their thumbs'. !! Please get on to this problem as soon as possible otherwise all of you will be smeared as mere lazy grabbers. GOSL Dept of Health has been criticised so much recently for failing to act promptly on urgent matters. What on earth are these Ministers doing?? MM

    Martin Milton Monday, 03 May 2021 07:55 AM

    This was coming, and many could see. Government spokespeople will yet again try to 'cover up' by giving various excuses. It will turn out to be like India very soon. The people are 3/4 to blame for NOT following strict Medical advice. However the Government is lagging behind so much without actively ensuring adequate supply of ICU beds and supplies of vital OXYGEN. Despite Media highlighting these aspects the GOSL Ministers who are responsible seem to be sitting 'twiddling their thumbs'. !! Please get on to this problem as soon as possible otherwise all of you will be smeared as mere lazy grabbers. GOSL Dept of Health has been criticised so much recently for failing to act promptly on urgent matters. What on earth are these Ministers doing?? MM

    sulaiman Monday, 03 May 2021 11:01 AM

    ask China, they will supply

    jayath nandana Monday, 03 May 2021 01:47 PM

    The only solution is the goverment has at this juncture put a bridle on Dr lakkumara mouth as hon minister sacked the vetern from his post . He wont come with proposals which government doesnot like


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