RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – Venezuelan Foreign Minister Jorge Arreaza said on Thursday, January 14th, that he spoke with Amazonas Governor Wilson Lima and offered the oxygen needed to serve the healthcare service Brazil´s Amazonas state capital city Manaus after the oxygen stocks ended at several hospitals on Thursday morning. The situation led to hospitalized patients dying of asphyxia, according to reports by doctors.
On social media, the chancellor said he followed the instructions of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro to provide the product to the government of Amazonas.
“Following instructions from President Nicolás Maduro we spoke with the governor of the state of Amazonas, Brazil, Wilson Lima, to immediately provide him with the oxygen needed to meet the healthcare contingency in Manaus. Latin American solidarity first and foremost!”
Then, Governor Wilson Lima expressed his gratitude to Venezuela and was replied by the Chancellor, who said “It is always an honor to be able to lend a hand to the fellow people of Brazil, particularly in such complex times. For Bolivarians, solidarity is a duty. Best wishes!”
The city is struggling with the collapse of healthcare, according to Minister Eduardo Pazuello and the governor decided to impose a curfew to reduce the incidence of Covid-19.
White Martins, a company producing oxygen cylinders, reported in a statement that consumption in Manaus grew exponentially and despite the increase in production capacity over 2020, the plant was unable to meet demand and is therefore sourcing oxygen from Venezuela.
“White Martins has identified the availability of oxygen in its operations in Venezuela and is currently engaged in importing the product to the region.”
Brazil Health Minister Says six Aircraft Will Deliver Oxygen
Minister of Health Eduardo Pazuello said over a live stream with President Jair Bolsonaro that he will deploy six Brazilian Air Force (FAB) planes to fly oxygen to Amazonas. The Brazilian government called on the United States to assist Amazonas’ healthcare network.
“The demand for oxygen in the capital has increased sixfold, so now we have a demand for 75,000 cubic meters of oxygen in the capital and 15,000 cubic meters inland. The second aircraft is flying today, the C-130 Hercules, flying from Guarulhos to Manaus, and as of tomorrow two more will be flying and we will reach six aircraft flying from Guarulhos, totaling about 30,000 cubic meters per day. There are also ground deployments on this air bridge,” said Pazuello.
Pazuello also said that Manaus, the state capital, failed to take “effective action in the early treatment of Covid-19” and recognized that public health service in the city has collapsed.