Economy Minister: 90% of increased demand for medical oxygen covered by local manufacturing

About 90 per cent of increased demand for medical oxygen is covered by local manufacturing, said Georgian Economy Minister Natia Turnava earlier today, noting that the Ministry of Economy is involved in promoting the production of medical oxygen and increasing its stock in the country. 

She noted that the issue of oxygen supply in the country has been fully resolved. 

I want to assure the population and the health sector that no problems will arise in terms of medical oxygen supply. Capacities today are growing,” she said.

During the second wave of the pandemic, the consumption of medical oxygen by medical institutions has increased three times and more, and exceeds 80 tonnes per day,” Turnava said.

As for the local medical oxygen production, she noted that the ministry supported several local companies under the Enterprise Georgia agency.

Moreover, Turnava said that the country has already purchased 10 new large power generators, a byproduct of which is oxygen. 

Each of the machines produces one tonne of oxygen per day. 

Two of the oxygen machines have already arrived and been installed in Rukhi clinic, while six machines will be brought to Georgia on December 17. Out of these six machines, three will be installed in Batumi Republican Hospital, while three will be set up in Tbilisi Republican Hospital.

Turnava noted that the ministry also supported private clinics to import oxygen machines.

Currently 20,305 are infected with Covid-19 in Georgia currently.

• Coronavirus: Georgia reports 3,216 new cases, 3,937 recoveries, 37 deaths

1,038 of the 6,383 patients who are undergoing treatment in hospitals are in critical condition.

466 of the 1,038 critical patients are on artificial ventilation. 

Head of Georgia’s National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) Amiran Gamkrelidze says that Georgia is currently experiencing peak coronavirus infections.