IGL, Jamaica’s sole supplier of medical oxygen, says there has been an almost 500 per cent increase in demand for medical oxygen at some hospitals over the last three weeks, with many hospitals that would previously require deliveries twice a week now needing daily deliveries and others, multiple deliveries in a day.

Peter Graham, the company’s managing director, sad: “IGL’s technical teams have been working with hospitals to change/modify supply configurations to cope with the increased demand and continue to add storage at locations where required.”

“…The recent spiral in the numbers of persons being hospitalised and needing oxygen has put a severe strain on our hospitals and supply chain, requiring imports of oxygen to supplement local production. Even importation has been difficult, as there is a global shortage and high demand for oxygen in many jurisdictions, but with our plant operating to capacity, and contracts with additional overseas suppliers, we are convinced that we can provide the hospitals with adequate supplies of oxygen at the current rate of demand, going forward,” said the IGL boss.

According to IGL, as the majority of hospitals in Jamaica have required increased delivery of supplies of medical oxygen since February, the company has been responding with urgency to meet the demand created by the rising number of COVID-19 cases.

“Some hospitals that depend heavily on the use of cylinders, and which have in recent weeks seen a previously adequate inventory diminished, have received hundreds of new cylinders as IGL moves to help the institutions assure availability to support patient care.

“As recently as last Sunday, March 14, 2021, another 150 cylinders were delivered to two hospitals with the greatest need. The company will receive more over the next two weeks and hospitals will receive a further injection in early April,” said the company.

“IGL commends the front-line medical personnel who are going way beyond the call of duty to serve, and we will continue to work as partners with regional health authorities and, ultimately, the hospitals’ medical teams to deliver the care required by our fellow Jamaicans.

“We urge all Jamaicans to strictly follow the protocols to minimise being infected by COVID-19,” Graham said.