Serious Oxygen Issues in Medical Facilities: 'Hraparak'

'Hraparak' newspaper reports that several medical centers, primarily in regional areas, have been experiencing serious oxygen shortages since yesterday. We have received information that oxygen plants are unable to produce and supply sufficient amounts of oxygen to hospitals servicing COVID-19 patients. The lack of oxygen or its absence can increase the already rising death toll.

In response to our inquiry to the Ministry of Health regarding their awareness of the issue and the measures being taken to resolve it, they stated: 'All the forces of both state and oxygen plants have been mobilized by the Ministry of Health, and they are working 24/7. Due to the overload on the oxygen plants, there are sometimes incidents in certain oxygen facilities, and specialists are trying to resolve these issues swiftly to ensure the flow of oxygen supply.'

When asked about the source of dissatisfaction, if they are doing everything to ensure adequate oxygen production and delivery, the Ministry's spokesperson Hripsime Khachatryan said: 'I do not know where the dissatisfaction is coming from; I know that four private plants experienced incidents, and they are currently working on that, doing everything to resolve it quickly.'

It should be noted that problems primarily exist in the hospitals of Gegharkunik province, in Spitak, and other regions as well.

For more details, refer to today's issue of the newspaper.