Citizens with chronic illnesses appeal to MEW for swift response to power outages
Power outages in residential areas, especially those caused by faults at major power stations or substations, present a serious challenge for citizens who depend on continuous electricity to operate medical equipment.
This issue is particularly critical for elderly patients confined to hospital beds or air mattresses to prevent bed sores, as well as those who rely on oxygen devices and require uninterrupted air conditioning, reports Al-Rai daily.
Several citizens have reached out to officials at the Ministry of Electricity, Water and Renewable Energy through Al-Rai, urging them to prioritize the needs of patients with chronic illnesses.
Many of these patients depend on respirators and other vital medical devices, and any prolonged interruption in electricity supply can have severe, even life-threatening, consequences.
One citizen shared his experience, stating that he requires an oxygen mask and related medical devices daily. He recounted a recent power outage at 11 p.m. in his neighborhood that lasted five hours without a backup generator, leaving him in distress due to the lack of air conditioning and oxygen supply amid the heat.
Two days later, another outage occurred around noon, and despite repeated calls, there was no clear information about the repair timeline for the damaged transformer or whether a temporary generator would be provided.
He expressed frustration, questioning if authorities are waiting for a disaster to happen before realizing the harm caused to vulnerable patients by extended power cuts.
The citizen urged the ministry to take proactive steps to consider the health conditions of such patients during power outages, especially during hot weather, and to act quickly to restore electricity.
The appeals highlight the urgent need for more responsive measures to protect the health and safety of residents dependent on continuous power, emphasizing the critical importance of timely restoration of electricity in emergencies.
