“No more oxygen for the cylinders behind. Only those in the front of the queue can be filled.” 

The voice came from the outside of an oxygen plant in Yangon Region.  

The demand for oxygen in the Covid-19 third wave has skyrocketed.

“They don’t listen to what I said. They are still queuing. There’s a long line of cylinders to be filled with oxygen,” a factory staff said. 

Before the oxygen plant are oxygen cylinders of various sizes such as 15, 20 or 40 litres. Around them are the owners waiting for liquid oxygen though they don’t know when they will get.  

“I have been waiting here for a long time since 4am,” said a resident in South Oakkalapa Township, Yangon. 

The highly contagious virus of the third wave after mutation 

The Ministry of Health and Sports reported that a highly infectious variant was found after the coronavirus in an infected person was studied in mid-May. 

Some Covid-19 cases were reported with new variants—two with the Alpha, five with the Delta and four with the Kappa. 

“When compared, the Delta variant found in India is 60% more transmissible than the Alpha,” a ministry official revealed. 

Infection spreads more quickly among a family members, the official added. 

According to the data released by the Ministry of Health and Sports, infection rate has been increasing. Reported cases are getting record increases daily.  “We have seen increased infection rate since later May. It is very high,” a ministry official commented. 

Increasing oxygen demand in the Covid third wave

The mutated virus is touching Myanmar in the third wave causing oxygen demand to increase sharply. 

“Oxygen need is enormous. We are very busy supplying oxygen. A long queue is required to get oxygen,” said Aung Myo (not real name) helping with free oxygen supply. 

There were many people who died of Covid infection while volunteering, he added. 

The oxygen plants in Yangon Region are running around the clock. 

“Even if we can stop machine operation for a while, we staff members have no time to take a rest. We have to make lists. We fill small cylinders for individuals and larger ones for charity organizations. But there are a lot of charity organizations,” said the person in charge of an oxygen in Yangon Region.  

With heavy workload, some machinery at the oxygen plants faces failure while some staff members getting infected with the virus.  

“Our factory manager has been isolated after being infected,” said an oxygen plant official in Yangon. 

Individual volunteers and charity organizations alike have to distribute oxygen they obtained from oxygen plants after a long queue. 

“Today, about four big cylinders were filled. We brought them and transferred the oxygen to smaller ones. This is what we can help best,” said a man working on charity in Thanlyin Township.  

However, those doing charitable work are struggling with getting oxygen and supplying it again. 

“The oxygen we got this morning has run out by afternoon. We have to go and queue for more at night and fetch next morning. We are very busy. We don’t always have enough oxygen,” the man continued. 

Eighty percent of Covid19 patients show normal symptoms while about 15 percent show severe symptoms, likely to need oxygen. But, many people show no symptoms despite being infected, according to the World Health Organization. 

About five percent of patients may be seriously ill and need to be put on a ventilator.  

Yangon has seen a lot of Covid deaths through lack of oxygen, according to charity organizations. 

“Some have to go round in their cars with the patients on board to seek oxygen,” said an official from a Yangon-based charity organization.  

What is happening in oxygen market? 

As demand increases steeply, a market has emerged in which some people are paid to queue for getting oxygen on behalf of those who cannot afford to come for their patients.   

“I had to pay Ks150,000 for a 40-litre cylinder three days ago. But now, we had to pay about Ks180,000,” said a man who bought liquid oxygen. 

Actually, it costs only about Ks10,000 inclusive of transport charges to fill a 40-litre cylinder. But in outside market, it costs over Ks100,000. 

Just recently, the oxygen plants announced they would no longer sell oxygen to individuals and it would be distributed through respective township oxygen supply committees. 

Those committees were formed with departmental officials and charity organizations under the leadership of township administration councils. They are tasked with supplying oxygen from the plants to hospitals and patients in respective districts. Those who need oxygen are to contact respective ward and village administration councils.  

Seeking oxygen supply requires documents such as an endorsement from the ward administration concerned, a copy of national registration card or household family list, medical record and a photo of taking pulse oximeter. If demand is high, scrutiny from the health department is necessary. It is a first-come, first-served service needing tokens. However, oxygen withdrawal is not that easy on the ground.  

“I was waiting at the ward administration office as I was told I would get oxygen at about 3pm. But I got it only at about 7pm. It’s no OK if we have to wait long,” said a resident in a township of Yangon. 

 Prices of not only liquid oxygen but also cylinders are skyrocketing. 

A 40-litre cylinder already containing oxygen is priced at over Ks1 million. A 20-litre cylinder without liquid oxygen is sold at over Ks600,000. Previously, they were worth just over Ks10,000.  

“Prices are hitting the roof. We can’t deny if we are urgent. I had to buy a 40-litre oxygen cylinder for Ks1.2 million,” said a man living in Thakyata Township. 

In late August, new oxygen plants are emerging as they are being built with donors’ funds. 

Oxygen plans are also being built in other regions and states with collective funds raised by rich donors. 

Those lining up to get oxygen have to be waiting outside, rain or shine. There are those who really need oxygen, whereas some are seeking oxygen to sell it again to others. What is sure is that oxygen needs are on the increase in the Covid third wave.  

“We have to wait patiently. Our patient is being put on oxygen at home. Only when I get it, will the patient get continuous oxygen supply,” said a man queuing in front of an oxygen plant.