In times of crisis, it’s important to remember our neighbors, and not only our literal neighbors, but our neighbors around the world. According to a recent article in the New York Times1, “A Simple Way to Save Lives as Covid-19 Hits Poorer Nations,” there is a worldwide oxygen shortage. The World Health Organization (WHO) has estimated that “the world will need 620,000 cubic meters of oxygen per day, or 88,000 large cylinders.” That’s a lot of oxygen.

Why is this? Well, as you probably know from watching and reading the news, in many cases people who are suffering from Covid-19 may experience serious respiratory problems. Many of these patients will need the lifesaving support that oxygen can provide.

Oftentimes, in the developing nations of South Asia, Africa, and Latin America, the healthcare system is not adequately supplied to meet the demands of its patients—particularly during a worldwide pandemic. For example, in Kinshasa, the capital of the Democratic Republic of Congo, almost 50 percent of the hospitalized patients needed oxygen, but there was not enough oxygen available:

“In Congo, many Covid-19 patients arrive at hospitals with critically low blood oxygen levels — sometimes as low as 60 percent, a level at which patients must normally be put on a ventilator to survive. (Normal oxygen saturation levels are 95 percent or more.)”

So, how can we remember our global neighbors during this time?

 

1. Donate Money to a Medical Charity

Many medical charities are donating to the worthwhile cause of helping the world breathe through the pandemic. You can be a part of that supply by seeking out and donating to a worthwhile medical charity. One such charity is Alliance for International Medical Action (Alima). Alima’s campaign “Oxygen for Africa2,” is raising money to send oxygen concentrators to the areas of Africa hardest hit by the pandemic.

You can also use GuideStar to make sure that any charity you are interested in is a legitimate charity before you donate.

A careworker sitting with a smiling child on her lap.

 

2. Donate Unwanted Oxygen Equipment and Other Medical Supplies

Perhaps you have unwanted oxygen medical supplies that a charity can send overseas to help during the pandemic? Many medical-related charities will take donations of medical supplies. Consider looking around your warehouse, house, and garage for equipment that you might donate today. Make sure that it’s in good working condition if you do. If the charity is not in your local neighborhood, that’s usually not a problem. In “How to Donate Medical Oxygen Equipment3,” the author notes that “many charities will pay part or all of the cost” of shipping, so it’s a win-win for everyone.

To learn more about CalOx’s products and services, contact us today.


1. https://www.nytimes.com/2020/06/23/health/coronavirus-oxygen-africa.html

2. https://www.oxygenforafrica.alima-ngo.org/en/

3. https://bizfluent.com/donate-medical-oxygen-equipment-5428.html