Covid-19 Nepal: Birgunj patients fear oxygen shortage at the ill-equipped, understaffed hospital

A Covid-19 patient at bed number 8 at the high-dependency unit of Narayani Hospital in Birgunj of the Parsa district of southern Nepal is on oxygen support. Beside him, his relative drags another cylinder just in case he needs it. If the patient’s oxygen finishes, there is a good chance that he might not survive, which is why the relative is making sure that he does everything he can so that the patient can survive.

The patient’s relative dragging an oxygen cylinder for their loved one is a sorry sight, but it is quite common at Narayani Hospital these days. The same scene can be seen at the ICU and surgical wards as well. They are doing so out of desperation as the lives of their family member depends on it.