Ethiopia's only ventilator expert races to train others as virus spreads

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 Coronavirus patients breathing.

“We only have few patients who are under intensive (coronavirus) care but if the number is going to increase there is a risk that we might see mismanagement of ventilators,” he told Reuters.

“The patient might be exposed to side-effects such as infection and die.”

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

The World Health Organisation says around 5% of COVID-19 infections are severe enough to require intensive care and mechanical ventilation.

Health Minister Lia Tadesse told Reuters that Ethiopia had 435 ventilators and planned to buy more, and that around 800 health professionals could operate them.