Masaka Hospital oxygen plant resumes operations

HEALTH|MASAKA HOSPITAL|OXYGEN

MASAKA - The Masaka Regional Referral Hospital oxygen plant, which had broken down since last month, has resumed operations, to the relief of the COVID-19 patients.

The plant, which serves over 10 districts of Greater Masaka and the neighbouring areas, is producing less oxygen, according to principal senior nursing officer Flora Chemo.

Speaking during a meeting at Kabonela sub-county headquarters in Masaka city, she said repairs on the hospital plant had enabled the facility to produce at least 10 cylinders of oxygen per day.

Chemo said the hospital is still waiting for experts from Turkey to fix the plant.

"We need experts to fix the facility. We are doing our local repairs in the meantime, which has provided some oxygen," she said.

Chemo said earlier, Masaka Hospital was depending on oxygen from the neighbouring hospitals in Mbarara, Mubende, Jinja and Kampala.

She said COVID-19 patients in critical condition are referred to Mulago Hospital for better management.

Masaka Hospital is currently treating 19 COVID-19 patients. She said the majority of the patients are handled from their respective homes.

The hospital biometrical engineer, Ali Musoke, told New Vision that the hospital is equipped with portable and mobile facilities and the main oxygen plant.

The ambulances donated by the Korean government are also equipped with oxygen cylinders.