Midis Group donates 88 Oxygen Concentrators to Red Cross to help COVID-19 patients breathe
Help was requested on February 2 and machines shipped and delivered on February 16
Midis Group has donated 88 Oxygen Concentrators to the Red Cross in Beirut. One hour after the delivery, a quarter of the machines, which help chronically-ill patients breathe, were already being used in ERs in the city.
“It was a natural step for Midis Group to be in the front line, fighting COVID-19, and we will continue to do so for as long as it will take to beat the pandemic,” said Daniel Pharaon from Midis Group.
According to the World Health Organization, provision of oxygen to support the breathing of COVID-19 patients in difficulty has become a worldwide problem, with shortages of bottled gas in many countries. Oxygen concentrators tackle this problem; they are small, portable units that generate a continuous oxygen supply from the air all around us.
“It has been estimated that around one in five people with COVID-19 suffers respiratory distress sufficient to require oxygen therapy,” said Dr Priyanka Relan, a COVID-19 clinical management expert in a recent WHA blog. “Without that therapy, COVID-19 can be fatal.”
As a leading international business headquartered in Beirut, Midis Group were approached to help with Oxygen Generator supply and the Group were pleased to respond positively – and quickly.
The donation was part of the organization’s way of contributing to Lebanon’s COVID-19 response and mitigating its impact on the health system. On arrival, the oxygen concentrators were quickly distributed to multiple individuals as there was a long waiting list.
Earlier last year, after the tragedy of August 4, Midis Group was part of international efforts to support the rebuilding of the city, as part of the Together for Beirut initiative.