Seriously, Ukraine Runs Out Of Medical Oxygen In The Middle Of The War Against Russia

JAKARTA - Ukraine is running out of oxygen supplies for critically ill patients, the World Health Organization (WHO) said on Sunday, February 27, calling for a safe passage for emergency imports amid the war against Russia.

"The condition of oxygen supplies in Ukraine is nearing a very dangerous point. Trucks cannot transport oxygen supplies from factories to hospitals across the country, including in the capital Kiev," said WHO Director-General, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, and WHO Regional Director Europe, Hans Kluge, through a statement released by Antara.

"The majority of hospitals will run out of their oxygen reserves in the next 24 hours. Some of them have run out. This is a condition that threatens thousands of lives."

Oxygen is essential for patients with a wide variety of conditions, including 1,700 hospitalized COVID patients and other critically ill patients caused by complications of pregnancy, birth, sepsis, wounds, and trauma.

Emergency hospital services are also at risk of power outages, while ambulances carrying patients could be caught in the crossfire.

The WHO said it was working to increase the oxygen supply, most likely using liquid oxygen and cylinders from regional networks.

Oxygen supplies for Ukraine require a safe transit route, having left the logistics corridor through Poland.