Moneycontrol PRO
Check Credit Score
Check Credit Score
HomeNewsPhotosWorld

In Pics | Coronavirus pandemic: Long-shut factory now helps Afghans breathe free

Afghanistan has struggled with shortages of medical oxygen. The country gets oxygen cylinders from abroad. Until recently, imports were halted due to sealed borders.

July 02, 2020 / 06:04 PM IST
The increasing number of coronavirus cases in Afghanistan has created a dearth of oxygen concentrators needed for coronavirus patients suffering from respiratory distress. Hospitals are facing shortage of oxygen cylinders as the pandemic has created a sudden surge in their demands. The country gets its oxygen cylinders from abroad. But amid the pandemic restriction, the borders are sealed leading to a halt in imports. (AP Photo/Rahmat Gul)
1/8
The increasing number of coronavirus cases in Afghanistan has created a dearth of oxygen concentrators needed for coronavirus patients suffering from respiratory distress. The country gets its oxygen cylinders from abroad. But amid the pandemic restriction, the borders are sealed leading to a halt in imports. But thanks to Najibullah Seddiqi, people there have now can refill oxygen cylinders fro free. (AP Photo/Rahmat Gul)
Patients are connected to oxygen tanks at the Afghan-Japan Communicable Disease Hospital, for COVID-19 patients in Kabul, Afghanistan, June 18. (AP Photo/Rahmat Gul)
2/8
Patients are connected to oxygen tanks at the Afghan-Japan Communicable Disease Hospital, for COVID-19 patients in Kabul. (AP Photo/Rahmat Gul)
Najibullah Seddiqi has closed his oxygen factory seven years ago because of the power cuts and rampant corruption that made difficult for him to get contracts with hospitals. But as the coronavirus raced through Afghanistan, he reopened his factory. A man works in an oxygen factory in Kabul, Afghanistan, June 18. (AP Photo/Rahmat Gul)
3/8
Najibullah Seddiqi has closed his oxygen factory seven years ago because of the power cuts and rampant corruption that made difficult for him to get contracts with hospitals. But as the coronavirus raced through Afghanistan, he reopened his factory. (AP Photo/Rahmat Gul)
A patient is connected to an oxygen tank at the Afghan-Japan Communicable Disease Hospital, for COVID-19 patients in Kabul, Afghanistan, June 18. Afghan media reported last week that several COVID-19 patients died in government hospitals due to shortages of medical oxygen, though the government denied the reports. (AP Photo/Rahmat Gul)
4/8
A patient at the Afghan-Japan Communicable Disease Hospital for COVID-19 patients in Kabul. Afghan media reported last week that several COVID-19 patients died in government hospitals due to shortages of medical oxygen, though the government denied the reports. (AP Photo/Rahmat Gul)
With people stockpiling oxygen cylinder, the price to refill a canister have skyrocketed. However, Seddiqi gave a helping hand to Afghanis by giving free refills to many hit by the virus. People line up for free oxygen at a privately owned oxygen factory, in Kabul, Afghanistan, June 18. (AP Photo/Rahmat Gul)
5/8
With people stockpiling oxygen cylinder, the price to refill a canister have skyrocketed. However, Seddiqi gave a helping hand to Afghanis by giving free refills to many hit by the virus. People line up for free oxygen at a privately owned oxygen factory, in Kabul. (AP Photo/Rahmat Gul)
His factory refills 200 to 300 small cylinders a day free for COVID-19 patients. For hospitals and retail sellers, he fills close to 700 large cylinders a day for 300 Afghanis each, or $3.80. A man carries an oxygen tank from a privately owned oxygen factory, in Kabul, Afghanistan, June 18. (AP Photo/Rahmat Gul)
6/8
His factory refills 200 to 300 small cylinders a day free for COVID-19 patients. For hospitals and retail sellers, he fills close to 700 large cylinders a day for 300 Afghanis each, or $3.80. A man carries an oxygen tank from a privately-owned oxygen factory in Kabul. (AP Photo/Rahmat Gul)
Seddiqi’s factory is one of six in Kabul that produce oxygen — but his is the only one giving free refills. A man tests oxygen at a privately owned oxygen factory, in Kabul, Afghanistan, June 18. (AP Photo/Rahmat Gul)
7/8
Seddiqi’s factory is one of six in Kabul that produces oxygen — but his is the only one giving free refills. A man tests oxygen at a privately-owned oxygen factory in Kabul. (AP Photo/Rahmat Gul)
A man helps his father to drink juice at the Afghan-Japan Communicable Disease Hospital, for COVID-19 patients, in Kabul, Afghanistan, June 18. (AP Photo/Rahmat Gul)
8/8
A man attending to his father at the Afghan-Japan Communicable Disease Hospital for COVID-19 patients, in Kabul. (AP Photo/Rahmat Gul)
Moneycontrol News

Discover the latest business news, Sensex, and Nifty updates. Obtain Personal Finance insights, tax queries, and expert opinions on Moneycontrol or download the Moneycontrol App to stay updated!

Advisory Alert: It has come to our attention that certain individuals are representing themselves as affiliates of Moneycontrol and soliciting funds on the false promise of assured returns on their investments. We wish to reiterate that Moneycontrol does not solicit funds from investors and neither does it promise any assured returns. In case you are approached by anyone making such claims, please write to us at grievanceofficer@nw18.com or call on 02268882347