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Peru's Health Min: We have exceeded the goal of 300 oxygen plants

Photo: ANDINA/EsSalud

16:31 | Lima, Jul. 9.

Peru finally overcame its deficit in medical oxygen plants —currently exceeding 300 nationwide— with which the nation will be better prepared for an eventual third COVID-19 wave, Health Minister Oscar Ugarte reported on Friday.

The high-ranking official recalled that when the new coronavirus arrived in the country in March 2020, Peru used to rely on merely 9 oxygen plants nationwide —both at public and private hospitals.

This number grew progressively thanks to the great investment by the public sector, civil society, as well as regional and local governments, among other institutions.

"When President Francisco Sagasti took office (in November 2020), there were already 70 plants, but they were not enough," Ugarte affirmed.

"It was estimated that 300 plants were needed, and today we can say with great satisfaction that we have already reached that goal," he highlighted during the inauguration of a new plant at Casimiro Ulloa Hospital in Lima.

The Cabinet member commented that a few days ago his sector had inaugurated a plant in Lima's San Borja district, adding that —after taking a new inventory— it was number 300, with which the country's long-awaited goal had been achieved and was even exceeded today with the new plant located in Miraflores, also in the capital city.

"We no longer have an oxygen deficit; instead, we have an oxygen surplus, and now our problem is how we store that equipment in case a third wave arrives," he said.

Likewise, the government official commented that —when the second wave appeared in January 2020— "the country was unarmed because we had not a sufficient response capacity, and that resulted in the loss of many lives."

"The same cannot happen to us again, and for that reason oxygen is essential. When the second wave was starting, we had an oxygen deficit of 110 tons per day, which grew to 150 tons. Fortunately, this was compensated for thanks to the collective effort," he indicated.

Lastly, Ugarte requested citizens not to lower their guard "because the main defense will always be the population itself; let's take care of ourselves, maintain social distancing, and wear a double face mask."

Esta mañana, el ministro Óscar Ugarte inauguró un moderno tomógrafo multicorte, equipos de rayos X y una planta de oxígeno medicinal en el Hospital de Emergencias José Casimiro Ulloa. pic.twitter.com/7o9wrQzGj1
— Ministerio de Salud (@Minsa_Peru) July 9, 2021