Life-saving equipment will help combat COVID-19 in Cotabambas

In a move to fight COVID-19 in the Cotabambas province, the Las Bambas mining company has supplied life-saving medicinal oxygen equipment to the Tambobamba hospital – a vital resource for the local population.

The oxygen plant initiative is a joint work program undertaken by the local authorities of Cotabambas, DIRESA Apurímac, the Health Network of Cotabambas and Minera Las Bambas. Tambobamba Hospital will benefit from a Differentiated Care Center for COVID-19 patients.

“Las Bambas has supported the delivery of equipment, rapid tests and health tents during the most critical stage of the pandemic. The oxygen equipment is the result of joint efforts between the authorities and the mining company,” said Rildo Guillen Collado, Mayor of the Provincial Municipality of Cotabambas.

The Regional Director of Health, Julio César Rosario, said that the oxygen equipment helps to minimize the pandemic’s impact. “Today, in addition to the delivery of the oxygen plant, we also inaugurated the remodelling of the maternal house and a water analysis laboratory, as a result of a partnership between the authorities and Las Bambas,” he said.

“We have all been affected by the pandemic. But the lesson we have learned in the midst of this difficult situation, is that, if we work hand in hand with authorities, the population and private companies, we can progress the region and the country. Our commitment is to continue working on development projects for the benefit of the population of Cotabambas,” said Francisco Raunelli, a representative of Minera Las Bambas.

The modern equipment has a generator and a self-contained medical oxygen of 86.4 cubic meters per day, with a purity of up to 96%. It also has 10-micron particle filters, bacteriological filters, automatic control according to oxygen consumption, among other features. In addition, the generator is under warranty and the supplier company will provide relevant user training.

Since the COVID-19 state of emergency, Las Bambas has committed to many social support activities including:

• Donating and installing a medical oxygen distribution network for six clinical beds
• Contributing seven multiparameter vital signs monitors, two portable digital X-ray machines; five mobile stretchers; basic ambulance equipment and biosecurity and screening supplies for 10 Cotabambas health facilities
• Equipping the Tambobamba mother’s house with kitchens, refrigerators and wooden pallets
• Delivering medical material and biosafety material to DIRESA Apurímac and DIRESA Cusco, aiding the health centers located in Cotabambas (Apurímac) and Chumbivilcas, Espinar and Paruro (Cusco).