Nigeria may not need many ventilators for treatment of coronavirus patients – Minister

Nigeria may not need many ventilators for the treatment of Coronavirus (COVID-19) patients, the Minister of Health, Osagie Ehanire, has said.

Mr Ehanire while answering questions from journalists agreed that the country does not have enough of the medical equipment needed to stabilise a respiratory distressed patient.

The shortage of ventilators in the country has been a source of concern for many Nigerians including lawmakers and public health experts.

A ventilator, a machine that pumps air in and out of the lungs, is needed to assist some patients to breathe.

COVID-19 is a disease that affects the respiratory system, hence the number of hospitalised patients that would need breathing assistance is likely to also increase if the ailment spikes in Nigeria.

This has been evident in other countries where the aliments are being treated.

However, Mr Ehanire said most of the cases handled so far in the country have been mild and as such the country might not need to stock or purchase respirators to manage patients during the outbreak.

– Premium Times