Oxygen generator planned for Thandwe Hospital as pandemic’s third wave creates supply shortage

By DMG 10 Jul 2021

DMG Newsroom
10 July 2021, Thandwe

Efforts are underway to install an oxygen generator to supply Thandwe District Hospital in Arakan State, and donors are still needed, according to officials tasked with constructing the plant.

Arrangements are being made to set up the oxygen generator under the leadership of U Tayzeinda, the abbot of Theingon Monastery in Thandwe Township, and a land plot and some money are reportedly already available for the endeavour.

“There is only one way to solve the oxygen needs of Thandwe Hospital. At a time when Covid-19 infections are high, Covid-19 patients need more oxygen. When we send oxygen cylinders to mainland Myanmar to refill with oxygen, we face many difficulties and have to wait to fill up as much as we need. That’s why we plan to build this oxygen generator,” U Tayzeinda said.

The oxygen generator is slated to be built on Shwe Sandaw Hill, and is estimated to cost about K150 million.

Thandwe District Hospital has needed about 20 oxygen cylinders a day and receives only 10 refilled cylinders daily, which has caused oxygen shortages, the monk added.

“In the past, people have lost their lives because they could not buy emergency oxygen. If this continues, these problems will recur. As a district hospital, in the long run, an oxygen generator is needed,” he explained.

Oxygen for Thandwe District Hospital was previously supplied by the government and some private donors, but surging demand nationwide has made obtaining oxygen difficult, according to an official from the hospital.

At present, more than 40 confirmed and suspected cases of Covid-19 are being monitored at Thandwe District Hospital, with nine of them receiving intensive care.