New oxygen machine for Wewak

 By GABRIEL FITO

THE Wewak General Hospital in Wewak, East Sepik, has a new oxygen concentrator for neo-natal resuscitation at the paediatric ward.

The self-sustainable machine produces 10 litres of oxygen per minute and cost K3,000 in the US. 

World Health Organisation representative Dr Norbert Rehlis and two health department officials from Port Moresby were in Wewak last Thursday to hand over the machine.

Hospital acting chief executive officer Chris Kabaru said the machine was part of a programme carried out by the department of health in partnership with WHO  to equip provincial hospitals.

“This machine will save the hospital thousands of kina which we have been spending on oxygen gas cylinders,” he said.

“It is cost-effective because it extracts oxygen from the air and can supply it simultaneously to six patients, provided there is electricity.”

Rehlis said the machine was an updated version. 

The old one supported only one patient at a time.

The officer in charge of the paediatric ward, Dr Louis Samiak, said the machine would help greatly in the treatment of pneumonia.

“The risk of children dying from pneumonia is high but we are grateful for the donation which will now save a lot of children,” Samiak said.

Officers from the health department said distribution of the machines for district hospitals would start next month.