“We are practicing medicine in near war-like conditions,” says a bitter nurse, who was waiting for the truck carrying oxygen to arrive in front of the gate of Mustapha-Bacha Hospital, the capital’s largest health facility, on 29 July.
She became more stressed with each passing minute as the prognosis of her relative, who was in intensive care, was life-threatening. All Algerian hospitals are experiencing an influx of patients that exceeds their capacity and are facing an oxygen shortage that has proved fatal to a large number of patients.
Paradoxical situation
On 28 July, the Mustapha-Bacha hospital, whose needs have increased sixfold during this third wave, experienced a particularly deadly oxygen shortage as 45 deaths were recorded in just a few hours, compared to the usual 10 to 15 deaths per day.
“We consume 10,000 litres every 16 hours,” says Professor Rachid Belhadj, head of the
There's more to this story
Get unlimited access to our exclusive journalism and features today. Our award-winning team of correspondents and editors report from over 54 African countries, from Cape Town to Cairo, from Abidjan to Abuja to Addis Ababa. Africa. Unlocked.
cancel anytime
Already a a subscriber Sign In
