COVID-19: Yemen hospitals run out of oxygen and ICU devices

Cairo: Hospitals in war-devastated Yemen have run out of oxygen supplies, Health Minister Dr. Qasem Buhaibeh said amid a surge in coronavirus cases in the country.

The official added on his Twitter account that intensive care units for COVID-19 patients at the quarantine hospitals have reached their maximum capacity.

He urged Yemenis to abide by precautions against the spread of COVID-19.

Precautionary measures

“Our dear citizens, we urge you to follow precautionary measures, avoid crowding, wear face masks, and keep away from suspected corona patients,” he tweeted. “We’ve run out of oxygen cylinders and ICU devices.”

https://twitter.com/kasembuhaibeh/status/1372919676146176019

A total of 3,217 virus cases and 733 deaths have been confirmed so far in Yemen’s areas controlled by the internationally recognised government.

Yemen has been devastated by a war that erupted after the Iran-aligned Houthi militia toppled the legitimate government and seized swathes of the impoverished country including the capital Sana’a in late 2014.

The UN has described the situation in Yemen as the worst humanitarian disaster in the world.