Peruvian Defense Minister Walter Martos on Thursday reported that oxygen —required for the treatment of COVID-19 patients— will be declared as an element of national interest in the fight against said pandemic.
As announced, the regulation on the matter —approved by the Council of Ministers— will be enacted today and allow taking a series of measures in favor of people with COVID-19.
Martos noted that said group —led by
Prime Minister Vicente Zeballos— will work to promote national oxygen production. "Not only with private companies, but also with the mining and oil (sectors) to see (verify) all the capacity that the Government has, in terms of oxygen production, with the aim of guiding it to the places where it is needed," he expressed.
A big budget is also being allocated for a global purchase and import of oxygen for the whole year.
Joined by
German Ambassador to Peru Stefan Herzberg, the minister thanked the European country for this donation, which includes not only mechanical ventilators, but also medical equipment and training for Peruvian specialists in the battle against COVID-19.
"As the Government of Peru, we deeply thank the
Ambassador of Germany —on behalf of the Navy, the Air Force and the Ministry of Health— for this great contribution," he stated.
The donation was possible thanks to the German project known as CoronaVent, which provides support and advice to Peru's armed institutions in their fight against the pandemic.
The support also includes the deployment of a team of experts; the provision of emergency medical equipment for three rescue helicopters, as well as of vital sign monitors for telemedicine advice services; the expansion of the Air Rescue and Rescue Competence Center in Callao; and the establishment of two model telemedicine systems in Loreto and Ucayali regions.