Afrigather 
Cotonou – Jonas, 43, knowledgeable driver, was no stranger to lengthy journeys and journey difficulties. However one specific journey in February 2022 will stay unforgettable.
“I used to be happening mission to Dassa, 200 km from Cotonou,” he remembers. “The journey went nicely however as soon as I reached the vacation spot, I started to really feel very dangerous. I used to be abruptly extraordinarily fatigued, and I started to sweat closely.”
Over-the-counter cures didn’t alleviate his fatigue, fever, and headache. Worse, Jonah started to really feel chest pains. “I felt a burning sensation; each breath was tough and painful. It was like nothing I’d ever skilled.”
Jonas examined optimistic for COVID-19 and was admitted to Allada Zone Hospital, the place a respiratory tract examination revealed that his lungs have been already beneath assault from the coronavirus. He was instantly positioned in intensive care and obtained oxygen remedy for 5 days. “That is what introduced me large bodily and psychological reduction,” he says.
Although indispensable to handle extreme instances of COVID-19, the provision of medical oxygen stays a problem for international locations and for well being services in Africa. In Benin, with the demand for medical oxygen rising because of the COVID-19 pandemic, World Well being Group (WHO) consultants carried out an evaluation mission in Might 2021 to find out nationwide oxygen wants and suggest methods to extend the provision of oxygen and oxygen-related medical units. The evaluation discovered that of the six hospitals with medical oxygen manufacturing models, 4 have been fully shut down: the Zonal Hospitals of Cové, Djidja, and Djougou, and the Parakou College Departmental Hospital Centre.
Moreover, the poor state of manufacturing vegetation led some hospitals to supply oxygen from non-public suppliers, generally throughout borders, a state of affairs leading to huge working prices and extreme disruptions to affected person care.
With the well being system coming beneath huge stress because of the pandemic, particularly throughout the Delta-fuelled second wave in July 2021, Benin’s medical oxygen want elevated exponentially, reaching about 500 cylinders of 7m3/day by the tip of 2021 in contrast with the same old demand of about 280 cylinders of 7m3/day.
“We’ve got financed the restore of oxygen manufacturing services in these areas, together with changing air blocks and thermostatic valves and repairing pneumatic connections,” says Dr Al Fattah Onifadé, Advisor for Important Medicines and Pharmaceutical Insurance policies on the WHO Workplace in Benin. “We’ve got additionally educated 5 biomedical technicians to proceed this work independently.”
For Laurent Houndeton, Director Common of the Company for Well being Infrastructure, Gear and Upkeep (AISEM) on the Ministry of Well being, the assist of WHO assist is nicely timed.
“This assist has allowed us to revive medical oxygen manufacturing within the 4 well being services. Critically unwell sufferers in want of oxygen have been in a position to obtain sufficient care,” says Dr Tania Bissouma-Ledjou, Performing WHO Consultant in Benin.
Monetary assist from WHO and different companions has additionally offered 4981m3 of medical oxygen for sufferers in respiratory misery, in addition to the acquisition of 420 empty reserve oxygen cylinders to keep up a medical oxygen provide in Benin. The assist from WHO has been made attainable by funding from the Authorities of Canada.
Within the African area, WHO has responded to the oxygen provide disaster with technical and monetary assist. The Group has supported the rehabilitation of 14 oxygen vegetation in 9 international locations and educated 245 biomedical engineers, technicians and clinicians within the upkeep of oxygen vegetation in six international locations. As well as, it has provided greater than 14 000 oxygen cylinders to 12 international locations and shipped over 1500 oxygen concentrators to 22 international locations.
The Allada hospital the place Jonas obtained care is among the many services to learn from this assist.
“I spent a complete of 5 days on oxygen, and the medical doctors assured me that the worst was over. There have been plenty of medical doctors going and coming from my bedside. I need to acknowledge the devoted individuals who cared for me day out and in.”
After 12 days in hospital, together with 5 days in oxygen-assisted intensive care, Jonas was lastly in a position to return house, the place tears of disappointment and concern gave strategy to tears of pleasure.
“Folks say there’s no getting back from Allada, however I got here again!” he enthuses. “I’m grateful for a brand new lease on life. With out this oxygen provide, I might certainly by no means have returned to my household. It actually was a matter of life and dying.”
