This week we donated our first oxygen concentrator to the Eti-Osa isolation centre. It is the first of what we hope will be a number of donations backed by private sector donors who want to make a difference during the COVID19 epidemic in Nigeria.

In this article we explain, why oxygen concentrators will make a difference for Coronavirus patients in Nigeria.

WHAT IS AN OXYGEN CONCENTRATOR?

An oxygen concentrator is a medical device that draws in air from the environment and passes it through molecular sieve beds to concentrate room oxygen to therapeutic levels for delivery to a patient (WHO).  Typically, there are two methods in common use: swing adsorption and membrane gas separation and they are used to support patients experiencing difficulty or who are unable to comfortably breathe on their own.

WHY IS IT USEFUL FOR COVID PATIENTS?

As you may be aware, Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is an infectious disease caused by a newly discovered coronavirus which presents respiratory distress as one of its common/major symptoms. Often, patients who do die from the infection die as a result of extreme respiratory failure.

Therefore, oxygen concentrators can come in very handy in helping provide supplemental oxygen to relieve pain or difficulty in breathing, and shortness of breath. Oxygen concentrators provide this continuously from room air, reducing the need to buy cylinders of oxygen and therefore reducing costs.

WHERE CAN I FIND ONE IN NIGERIA?

If you wish to buy an oxygen concentrator contact our procurement team at emergency@flyingdoctorsnigeria.net

Download our brochure HERE for all your medical equipment needs.