The Covid-19 pandemic and a rise in the incidence of lung diseases during winter have resulted in a demand for oxygen cylinders this December that is higher than other years, said suppliers and home healthcare service providers.
A 74-year-old woman of Ballygunge Place, who has survived a cerebral stroke, needed oxygen support last week. Her daughter said she approached several pharmacy stores in the area but was unable to hire a cylinder.
“My mother’s hemoglobin level had dropped and she needed oxygen support. Since 9am I had been trying to get an oxygen cylinder. I approached several pharmacies in and around our locality but could not get one. Then I approached a nursing home in the locality, but there, too, no cylinder was available for rent,” said the daughter.