But at Hargeysa General Hospital in Somaliland, oxygen concentrators donated by the World Health Organization are making a huge difference.

Dr.

Hamda Mahmoud in says they have not only helped with the treatment of coronavirus patients those with other respiratory illnesses, too.

The current availability of oxygen concentrators, for example.

In our center, it will help more, even if after the covid 19 pandemic and ends so it will help every child with pneumonia.

It will have every adult with pneumonia.

It will help every adult or child with any respiratory illnesses that requires oxygen supply.

It's estimated that more than half a million people in low and middle income countries currently need 1.1 million cylinders of oxygen per day.

25 countries have reported surges in demand, though the majority in Africa supplies were already tight prior to Covid 19 and have been further exacerbated by the pandemic.

But as of February, the W, H.

O and its partners have distributed over 30,000 concentrators, 40,000 pulse oximeters and patient monitors, reaching 100 and 21 countries, 37 of which are classified as fragile.

Doctor Mahmoud in says the oxygen concentrators are especially valuable to Hargeisa as they don't need to be filled like cylinders and only require electricity to function properly.