Unicamp lends oxygen cylinders to the state of São Paulo

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State universities in São Paulo are loaning oxygen cylinders to the state of São Paulo. The measure aims to help alleviate problems in the distribution of the input, which occur due to the high number of hospitalizations of patients with Covid-19. Unicamp has already supplied 16 full cylinders, sent on Saturday to the Registro Region (SP), where oxygen was about to run out. 119 hulls will also be collected by the Secretariat for Economic Development (SDE) (survey updated in the late afternoon of March 29), the supply and distribution of which will be the responsibility of the state.

“The state is experiencing an oxygen distribution crisis due to increased demand. Several municipalities began to enter a critical phase of hospitalized people. Through CRUESP [Council of Rectors of São Paulo State Universities], the state Development Secretariat asked the universities to provide the loan of the cylinders. The three universities in São Paulo are helping with this effort”, observes the dean of Research at Unicamp, Munir Salomão Skaf.

According to the dean, the survey, which is still being carried out, has already identified 119 cylinders at Unicamp, which should be collected on Tuesday (30). Collection, distribution and supply are carried out by the Secretariat for Economic Development, which is asking for donations and loan of cylinders also to companies and laboratories. The hulls will be temporarily provided.

Another 16 full cylinders were sent on Saturday to the Registro region (SP) where oxygen stocks were running low. “I urgently needed to take it there. Luckily, professor Cláudio Tormena, associate director of the Chemistry Institute, had 16 full cylinders, 99,5% purity, content released by Anvisa”. 

The professor highlights that this is not an ideal situation, but universities are carrying out a kind of collective effort to contribute in this time of crisis. “We are temporarily giving in to respond to an emergency situation. There is a lack of oxygen and we don't want what happened in Manaus to happen. The refund to the universities will be made as soon as this critical moment is overcome”.

Oxygen crisis

The demand for hospital oxygen, due to the worsening of the Covid-19 epidemic in the country, increased by 56% in the first two weeks of March, compared to the same period in December 2020, according to the largest producer in the country , White Martins. In January, the lack of oxygen led to the deaths of at least 30 people in hospitals in the Manaus region, in Amazonas. Given the increase in hospitalizations due to Covid-19 in the country of Brazil, the imminent lack of oxygen is already highlighted by 76 municipalities, according to a document from the National Front of Mayors. In the state of São Paulo, 115 municipalities indicate that they only have stock for less than a week, according to a survey by the Council of Municipal Health Secretaries of São Paulo (Cosems/SP) released on March 24th.

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audio description: color photograph of oxygen cylinders

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