Mulago gets pipe oxygen system
Jul 25, 2005
OXYGEN ‘thieves’ at Mulago Hospital will now have to be more creative after a permanent tank has been installed to centrally supply liquid oxygen to patients.
By Fred Ouma and James Odongo Akia
OXYGEN ‘thieves’ at Mulago Hospital will now have to be more creative after a permanent tank has been installed to centrally supply liquid oxygen to patients.
Earlier this year, there was an oxygen cylinder scam at the hospital. A swoop by the health ministry and security agencies led to the recovery of over 300 oxygen gas cylinders in and around Kampala.
The new system, using piped liquid oxygen, is an upgraded type of international standards with 99.99% pure oxygen.
It replaces multi-gas cylinders, which were easily stolen, leaving the lives of patients in danger.
Dr. Lawrence Kaggwa, the hospital director, during the commissioning of the plant on Friday, said the new system would reduce shortage of oxygen.
“This marks the end of the oxygen crisis that has plagued the hospital for long. This also means that oxygen cylinder thefts will be history,†he said.
The 6,000-litre bulk tank worth sh220m is supplied by BOC Gases, the largest supplier of industrial oxygen in East Africa, and can supply the hospital for two months before refilling.
OXYGEN ‘thieves’ at Mulago Hospital will now have to be more creative after a permanent tank has been installed to centrally supply liquid oxygen to patients.
Earlier this year, there was an oxygen cylinder scam at the hospital. A swoop by the health ministry and security agencies led to the recovery of over 300 oxygen gas cylinders in and around Kampala.
The new system, using piped liquid oxygen, is an upgraded type of international standards with 99.99% pure oxygen.
It replaces multi-gas cylinders, which were easily stolen, leaving the lives of patients in danger.
Dr. Lawrence Kaggwa, the hospital director, during the commissioning of the plant on Friday, said the new system would reduce shortage of oxygen.
“This marks the end of the oxygen crisis that has plagued the hospital for long. This also means that oxygen cylinder thefts will be history,†he said.
The 6,000-litre bulk tank worth sh220m is supplied by BOC Gases, the largest supplier of industrial oxygen in East Africa, and can supply the hospital for two months before refilling.