Government increases oxygen supply to health facilities

As Health Minister Dr Jonas Chanda says Zambia can reduce by 80% the transmission rate if health guidelines are adhered to. Government says it is working hurriedly to increase the supply of oxygen in health facilities to address the high demand of the commodity in the wake of a surge of Covid-19 pandemic in the second wave. Dr Chanda said government was intensifying the supply of the commodity which over 70 percent of Covid-19 patients desperately need in the management of the virus. Speaking when he gave a ministerial statement to parliament yesterday, Dr Chanda said that as of yesterday, oxygen cylinders had been transported to the Copperbelt which had now become the new epicenter. He said with further support from cooperating partners, Zambia was ensuring that more oxygen was supplied to as many health facilities as possible apart from working on modalities to prepare adequately for eventualities such as the third wage. “Zambia can cut the transmission rate by over 80% if all health guidelines are adhered to,” he said and called for personal responsibility in the prevention of new infections which is key in pandemic control.