Egypt is Facing Oxygen Supply Shortages

Amidst the second wave of COVID-19 infections in Egypt and an increase in deaths, the minister of health Hala Zayed insisted that oxygen supply was more than sufficient and that it was being closely monitored through a newly installed electronic system, as well as efforts for producers to double production of medical oxygen. Many social media accounts also shared the news that there was no oxygen shortage in Egyptian hospitals and that this is a rumor.

Despite initial adamant denials from government officials evidence in the form of disturbing video footage has gone viral on social media.  The videos show individuals in various hospital distressed and explaining that they or their loved ones are unable to receive treatment due to a lack of oxygen. Particular hospitals on the video were Hussainiya hospital in Sharqiyah district where Ahmed Mamdouh recorded that everyone in the ICU had passed away due to the oxygen shortage. A video from Zeftah Hospital in Gharbiyeh governorate was also recorded as well as Sadr Damanhour Hospital in the Nile Delta, where a patient is seen saying “there is a lack of oxygen” with screams heard in the background.

Experts, such as Mohamed El-Garhy, the head of Sharqiyah based charity, January 25 Hospital’s board of trustees predicted the peak of the second wave to be experienced in mid-January and that the oxygen crisis started in December. Currently, there are over 1000 cases reportedly daily, however, this is seen as an underestimation as many patients seek home treatment and there is no mass testing. The current rate of infections has led to a sharp rise in the demand for oxygen cylinders. Civil society organizations have begun calling for donations of oxygen cylinders and collecting funds, there has also been a surge of online adverts requesting to purchase medical oxygen. The rapid demand has since led to a black market with oxygen selling at more than the triple price and fear of not finding oxygen has resulted in stockpiling, further exasperating the shortages.  It also emerged, nearly two weeks later that the government owed $128 million to medical suppliers and that some suppliers decided to halt production. All these factors indicate a possible overall shortage of oxygen supplies in the country.

Zayed and other government officials, initially denied any oxygen shortages, claiming that these were rumors spread by the Muslim Brotherhood and scapegoating deaths to underlying causes and incompetent doctors, However, following large backlash and criticism as well as glaring evidence, the minister eventually admitted the oxygen crisis in several hospitals.

Even after the admittance some Twitter users still claimed that the oxygen supply shortage is a rumor started by the Muslim Brotherhood.

The handling of the pandemic appears to be riddled with a lack of transparency, accountability, and trust. While doctors who criticize the Ministry of Health are persecuted, leading to unnecessary deaths. Gary goes on to recommend that the state can “temporarily manage the oxygen depots and factories administratively through a committee that includes representatives from the Ministry of Health, Supply and the Interior,” as well as imposing an official price on oxygen cylinders. Given the admittance by Zayed as well as the prior evidence and accounts, the Misbar team can confirm that the news of no oxygen shortage in Egypt is untrue.