Ethiopia’s sole ventilator expert to train others

Addis Ababa, May 12

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As the coronavirus epidemic gains a foothold in Ethiopia, Habtamu Kehali’s skills in operating a ventilator may, for increasing numbers of patients, mean the difference between life and death.

As the country’’s only respiratory therapist, Kehali is rushing to train others to run the machines used to keep severely ill Covid patients breathing. “We only have few patients who are under intensive care but if the number is going to increase there is a risk that we might see mismanagement of ventilators,” he said. “The patient might be exposed to side-effects such as infection and die.”

Ethiopia has 250 cases, a tally that has almost doubled over the past eight days, with five fatalities.

The WHO said 5 per cent of infections were severe enough to require intensive care and mechanical ventilation. —Reuters