In a country of more than 100 million people, just 54 ventilators, out of around 450, have been set aside for Covid-19 patients as of this week, says the Ethiopian health ministry.

The Ethiopian health ministry's own "worst-case scenario" modelling predicts the country will require around 1 500 ventilators for Covid-19 patients by the end of April.

With producers overwhelmed by orders from around the globe, it's not at all clear how this gap will be bridged.

"I'm really worried about a shortage," says Yakob Seman, director general of medical services at the health ministry. "This is not because of the commitment of the government or lack of will, but because of lack of resources.


COUNTRY'S VENTILATORS WERE DONATIONS

Many ventilators in Ethiopia were donated, meaning health facilities do not have a direct line to manufacturers and struggle to find spare parts to maintain them.

"When you get something by donation, it will not have the right manual, you don't have the right connection with the company, and skill transfer has not been done very well," Yakob said.

ORDERING NEW VENTILATORS

The government has requested 1 000 ventilators from producers in China but has been told it won't be able to get them all at once and may have to settle for 250 per month.

One procurement agent contracted by the government to find 200 ventilators said the process of fulfilling orders had been complicated by coronavirus-related flight restrictions and recent price hikes.

Ventilators once available for around $9 000 are going these days for more than $20 000, the agent said.

Since reporting its first Covid-19 case on 13 March, Ethiopia has closed land borders and schools, freed thousands of prisoners to ease overcrowding, sprayed main streets in the capital with disinfectant, and discouraged large gatherings.

https://m.news24.com/Africa/News/ethiopia-races-to-bolster-ventilator-stockpile-for-coronavirus-fight-20200403

It is well, Africa is in the hand of God.

Africans should learn to be innovative.

Depending on the foreign world for every single thing is a source of embarrassment and highly worrisome.

Why dont U do a research on ur own country of over 200 million... Atleast dey have over 400 working ones and have set aside 54 for covid 19 cases.. Atleast if things get bad dey have more to call upon even though it shows how ill equipped Africa is..

Their wahala for now.

Am suffering worse.

Buhari being my President at this time of covid 19 crisis is one of the worst I have witnessed.

This ain't south African forum, fvck out of here

Iceyjayz:
This ain't south African forum, fvck out of here

SMH.

Nbote:
Why dont U do a research on ur own country of over 200 million...

Nigeria's case is well documented on this forum - millions of posts on the issue.

TMKsouth:


SMH.

Who the heck is he?