Peru, at one point, had the world’s highest COVID-19 death rate per capita, a crisis that fueled an unprecedented need for oxygen in the mountainous country where hospitals do not have access to their own oxygen generators and instead depend on external sources.

Clínica Americana de Juliaca and Clínica Adventista Ana Stahl (Iquitos) were once two of those dependent hospitals, but that is no longer the case. Through contributions from AdventHealth, the Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA), the Rotary Foundation, and other donors, Clínica Americana opened its own oxygen plant this past spring, and Clínica Adventista Ana Stahl inaugurated its new plant in October.

“Oxygen plants represent security and trust for a health institution, its staff, and its community. It means knowing we can count on a vital source and that we can effectively serve the community as well,” said Cesar Valera, finance director of Clínica Adventista Ana Stahl. “We have social and community projects that we actively carry out with local governments, and this plant will help us continue the healing ministry of Jesus as we carry out those projects.”

Prior to the installation of their own plants, staff from Clínica Americana and Clínica Adventista Ana Stahl had to wait in lines at private plants and pay for oxygen by the tankful at prices ten times the normal cost due to the overwhelming demand. This created a significant challenge for the rural hospitals, particularly the hard-hit Ana Stahl campus, whose doors shut for 30 days because of widespread infection and staffing shortages.

“When Clínica Adventista Ana Stahl closed, people were banging on the gates and climbing over walls in a desperate attempt to get medical attention. Several staff members were gravely ill and were admitted to the ICU and placed on ventilators,” said Greg Hodgson, director of Global Health Initiatives at Centura Health, a regional partnership of AdventHealth. “Now they have a secure supply of oxygen and are ready to face the challenges ahead. This oxygen plant is a sign of life.” 

The two oxygen plants cost about $500,000 total and will help the hospitals respond to any future COVID-19 waves, as well as any other respiratory illnesses that may occur. 

“The pandemic is far from over. COVID-19 is still devastating communities across the world, and ADRA is committed to providing humanitarian assistance in Peru and globally. ADRA is grateful for its alliance with AdventHealth and other trusted partners to support clinics and hospitals around the world with critical equipment such as the oxygen plants that will help save more lives in Peru,” said Alex Balint, director of corporate and social partnerships for ADRA. “ADRA will continue its efforts to mobilize protective gear and essential medical supplies to protect the community and help fight this pandemic.”

AdventHealth Global Missions is actively working with ADRA India to establish oxygen plants in India and also raising funds for one at Haiti Adventist Hospital.