Peruvians Suffer Oxygen Shortage for Coronavirus Treatment After Price Surge
COVID-19 Outbreak Cases in Peru as of February 2nd, 2021 (Wikimedia Commons)
Amid a second wave of COVID-19, Peru continues to face an oxygen shortage; the tripled oxygen demand skyrocketed prices, leaving Peruvians waiting in lines to help their loved ones.
With the COVID-19’s latest variant, Peru once again is experiencing a surge in cases, forcing the country into complete lockdown with a lack of facilities, resources and medical staff to treat infected patients. More than 42,000 deaths are confirmed from COVID-19. Peru’s incapability to supply enough oxygen at total capacity remains extremely pressing. Peruvians who live in provinces with poor health infrastructure outside of the capital must personally treat infected family members themselves. Lines to obtain or refill a cylinder of oxygen last for hours, or even days, leaving people in a situation where they cannot buy other necessities. Unlike more economically developed countries, Peru lacks the infrastructure to have oxygen directly delivered, stored and piped “directly into bedsides.” Cylinders, which increase the price per volume used, are the only way that low and middle incomes countries (LMIC) can provide oxygen to their patients in rural areas.
The current COVID-19 death rate among Peru’s 33 million person population is 125 deaths per 100,000. According to the WHO, one in every five COVID-19 patients need oxygen to aid their coronavirus therapy. However, Peru lacks the finances, facilities, and clinics to meet the oxygen demand.
Not only is Peru one of the countries most affected by COVID-19, an unstable political situation has recently struck it as well. The upcoming general election on April 11 features ex-president Ollanta Humala, who faces accusations of money laundering, and political candidates charged with corruption claims or recently served jail sentences.
Meanwhile, government authorities, NGOs, and private companies attempt to supply Peru with the oxygen they need. For example, Interim Peruvian President Francisco Sagasti has reached out to the Chilean government in order to receive oxygen donations. Nonetheless, the prices and the shortage of tanks continue to impede the complete treatment of COVID-19 patients.
The rest of Latin America suffers from oxygen shortages as well. Mexico, Nicaragua, Brazil, and other countries have experienced a surge in demand for oxygen, especially in rural areas.
A recent scandal of ministers and former presidents secretly getting vaccinated has caused further turmoil in the country. Sagasti announced his disappointment of officials that “took advantage of their position,” and received the Chinese-made Sinopharm vaccine. Peru was the first Latin American country to use the Sinopharm COVID-19 vaccine, receiving 300,000 doses on February 7.