Implementation of solar powered oxygen delivery in a conflict zone

Preliminary findings from Somalia on feasibility and usefulness

Bibliographic Data

ID19503204
AuthorsQaasim Mian (0000-0003-4669-3079, University of Alberta), Sk Md Mamunur Rahman Malik (0000-0002-4691-492X, World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland), Mohamed Adam Alinor (World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland), Md Shajib Hossain (0000-0003-1740-3685, World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland), Jitendar Kumar Sharma (World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland), Jitendar Sharma (World Health Organization), Osman Moallim Hassan (Chief of Staff of the Presidency of the Galmudug State of Somalia, Dhusamareb, Somalia), Abdiwali Mohamed Ahmed (0000-0001-9879-6577, Ministry of Health and Human Services, Galmudug State of Somalia, Dhusamareb, Somalia), Abdiweli Abdullahi Jama (Minister of Health - Galmudug State of Somalia, Dhusamareb, Somalia), Andrew J Okello (0000-0002-0373-2640, Somali International University), Sophie Namasopo (0000-0002-8895-0144, Department of Paediatrics, Jinja Regional Referral Hospital, Jinja, Uganda), Robert O Opoka (0000-0003-3240-2058, Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Mulago Hospital and Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda), Nicholas Conradi (University of Alberta), Abdullah Saleh (0000-0002-6754-8885, University of Alberta), Andrea L Conroy (0000-0002-5328-6511, Indiana University School of Medicine), Michael Hawkes (0000-0002-4122-0937, University of Alberta, corresponding author)
Year2022
Volume38
Issue2
Pages140-158
Publication date2022-04-03
Open AccessNo
TypeARTICLE
VenueMedicine Conflict & Survival (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1362-3699 • E-ISSN: 1743-9396
PublisherInforma UK Limited (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1080/13623699.2022.2081056
PMID35730216
OpenAlexW4283328094
LanguageEN
Citations received2
References cited17

Access to therapeutic oxygen in low-resource settings remains a significant global problem. Solar powered oxygen (SPO2) delivery is a reliable and cost-effective solution. We followed implementation research methodology to gather data on engineering parameters (remote monitoring), nurse training (before and after knowledge questionnaire), patients treated with SPO2 (descriptive case series), and qualitative user feedback (focus group discussions). In January 2021, SPO2 was installed at Hanano General Hospital in Dusamareb, Galmudug State, Somalia, in a conflict-affected region. Daily photovoltaic cell output (median 8.0 kWh, interquartile range (IQR) 2.6-14) exceeded the electrical load from up to three oxygen concentrators (median 5.0 kWh, IQR 0.90-12). Over the first six months after implementation, 114 patients (age 1 day to 89 years, 54% female) were treated for hypoxaemic illnesses, including COVID-19, pneumonia, neonatal asphyxia, asthma, and trauma. Qualitative end user feedback highlighted SPO2 acceptability. Violent conflict was identified as a contextual factor affecting local oxygen needs. We provide the preliminary findings of this implementation research study and describe the feasibility, fidelity, rapid adoption, usefulness, and acceptability of SPO2 in a low-resource setting characterized by violent conflict during the COVID-19 pandemic. Our findings demonstrated the lifesaving feasibility of SPO2 in volatile settings

Business · Fidelity · Focus group · Interquartile range · Medical emergency · Photovoltaic system · Qualitative research · Energy and Environment Impacts · Engineering · Global Health and Surgery · Medicine · Nursing · Surgery

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