The Vitebsk City Emergency Medical Care Hospital received 15 artificial lung ventilation (ALV) machines today, purchased using funds from the regional budget.

 
Approximately Br620 thousand was spent on the new equipment. "The Vitebsk Regional Executive Committee and the Ministry of Health are focused on strengthening the material base of hospitals. The Vitebsk Emergency Hospital is the main institution for coordinating both patient admission and the distribution of critically ill patients. One of the largest intensive care units is concentrated in the hospital. In this regard, the Regional Executive Committee purchased new equipment, and in less than three weeks, the ALV machines will be operational," noted Mikhail Vishnevetsky, Head of the Main Department for Healthcare of the Regional Executive Committee. He also mentioned that the modernization of the oxygen supply system for the therapeutic building of the Vitebsk Emergency Hospital will be completed in the coming weeks, making it more automated. The installation of four new tanks will minimize the human factor in their operation.

Currently, there are 2367 oxygen points and 259 ALV machines installed in medical institutions of the Vitebsk region.

Today, the Vitebsk Emergency Hospital is exclusively treating COVID-19 patients, and medical staff are working under significant strain. "Equipment fails, and frequent repairs are necessary, as it, like us, operates 24/7. We have an intensive care unit with 42 beds, so it is crucial to have ALV machines that will allow us to expand and enhance the reliability of our intensive care equipment. Additionally, the Regional Executive Committee recently allocated additional funds, and we acquired 36 oxygen concentrators," stated the hospital's chief physician, Andrey Zakharov.

The Head of the Regional Health Department also characterized the epidemiological situation in the region. According to Mikhail Vishnevetsky, the situation is improving, with a decrease in coronavirus incidence and hospitalizations. "There is an opportunity to re-profile institutions to operate according to their intended purpose. The second surgical building of the Regional Oncology Dispensary has been operational for a week, today the Vitebsk City Clinical Hospital No. 1 has returned to its normal operating mode, and by the end of the week, the Vitebsk Regional Clinical Specialized Center will be withdrawn from COVID-19 profile," he said.