Social Security gives health one more breath
JEMIMA BEUKES
WINDHOEK
The Social Security Commission (SSC) has donated an oxygen-generating unit to the value of N$3 million to the health ministry.
During the handover last week, health minister Dr Kalumbi Shangula confirmed that there is an acute demand for oxygen in the country.
According to him, the new unit will be connected to the Covid-19 Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and high care unit at the Windhoek Central Hospital.
This follows a donation by the Namibia Chamber of Commerce and Industry (NCCI) of a 21-ton oxygen supply in cylinders across the country.
“We call on other private companies to join government and other stakeholders to fight Covid-19 pandemic. Together we shall overcome this virus. This support we are receiving has come at the right time and is an addition to our arsenal as we fight against an invisible and vicious enemy,” Shangula said.
Oxygen sources
Last week, health ministry executive director Ben Nangombe explained that the ministry has four main sources for the supply of medical oxygen in public health facilities.
These are: Oxygen plants, which provide enriched air produced by the on-site oxygen production plant applying technology popularly referred to as a pressure swing absorption (PSA) system.
Then there are the oxygen cylinders that are pre-filled with pure oxygen produced by a factory-based oxygen production system employing cryogenic distillation processes, he said.
The concentration of the oxygen in these cylinders is greater than 99.5% and cylinders come in different sizes, while portable oxygen concentrators give enriched air.
“Then there is nitrous oxide, which is supplied in designated nitrous oxide cylinders and delivered either through the hospital nitrous oxide pipeline system or as a backup for the anaesthesia machines.
The medical gas products are from Air Liquide and Afrox and come in oxygen cylinders, nitrous oxide and oxygen concentrators, while Intaka Technology provides oxygen plant and oxygen concentrators,” Nangombe said.
[email protected]
WINDHOEK
The Social Security Commission (SSC) has donated an oxygen-generating unit to the value of N$3 million to the health ministry.
During the handover last week, health minister Dr Kalumbi Shangula confirmed that there is an acute demand for oxygen in the country.
According to him, the new unit will be connected to the Covid-19 Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and high care unit at the Windhoek Central Hospital.
This follows a donation by the Namibia Chamber of Commerce and Industry (NCCI) of a 21-ton oxygen supply in cylinders across the country.
“We call on other private companies to join government and other stakeholders to fight Covid-19 pandemic. Together we shall overcome this virus. This support we are receiving has come at the right time and is an addition to our arsenal as we fight against an invisible and vicious enemy,” Shangula said.
Oxygen sources
Last week, health ministry executive director Ben Nangombe explained that the ministry has four main sources for the supply of medical oxygen in public health facilities.
These are: Oxygen plants, which provide enriched air produced by the on-site oxygen production plant applying technology popularly referred to as a pressure swing absorption (PSA) system.
Then there are the oxygen cylinders that are pre-filled with pure oxygen produced by a factory-based oxygen production system employing cryogenic distillation processes, he said.
The concentration of the oxygen in these cylinders is greater than 99.5% and cylinders come in different sizes, while portable oxygen concentrators give enriched air.
“Then there is nitrous oxide, which is supplied in designated nitrous oxide cylinders and delivered either through the hospital nitrous oxide pipeline system or as a backup for the anaesthesia machines.
The medical gas products are from Air Liquide and Afrox and come in oxygen cylinders, nitrous oxide and oxygen concentrators, while Intaka Technology provides oxygen plant and oxygen concentrators,” Nangombe said.
[email protected]
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