COG says 259 ICU beds and 42 oxygen plants operational

 COG says 259 ICU beds and 42 oxygen plants functional

 The Council of Governors (CoG) Health Committee has intimated that currently, the counties have a total of 6,159 isolation rooms, 259 ICU, and an additional 104 HDU beds.

 Through the committee’s chairman Prof. Anyang Nyong’o, they said that they have created more space that encompasses 42 oxygen stations which are operational out of 58 overall.    

 Furthermore, Nyong’o continued that in total, there are 2,828 oxygen cylinders and an addition of 730 cylinders are present. The fears bordering on low oxygen in the hospitals putting the lives of many patients at risk triggered quick steps by the government to ensure its availability in the wake of increasing demand.

 The Health Committee chairperson also said that the demand for oxygen in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic has pushed the production from 410 tonnes as of last year to 560 tonnes by January and as things stand, this could double up to 880- tonnes. With this, there is an addition of 3,601 isolation beds distributed in all the 47 counties.    

 Furthermore, a total of 395, 096 doses were sent to 41 counties from which 341, 520 doses have already been given out in the following categories: Healthcare workers – 70,883, Security – 120,975, Teachers – 33,759, and the Others – 115,903.

 Due to their engagement in the COVID-19 pandemic in the country, Prof. Nyong’o noted that the Ministry of Health permitted the renewal of contracts of all Healthcare workers who are on the frontline treating COVID-19 patients in the 47 counties. The contracts now go for another six months beginning April to September 2021.  

 Relatedly, the Health Ministry is engaged with the County Governments to make sure the health workers who ended their contracts have a replacement for effective service delivery. Both the county and national governments are in discussion on the possibility of extending the contracts for one year.