Two High Flow Nasal Cannula worth around ₹6 lakh was donated to SNM hospital by the Action Covid-19 team (ACT) on December 5.

The two machines were handed over to Dr. Norzin Angmo, Medical Superintendent of SNM Hospital Leh by Dr. Nordan Otzer.

A high-flow nasal cannula (HFNC) machine is an oxygen supply system capable of delivering up to 100% humidified and heated oxygen at a flow rate of up to 60 litres per minute. World Health Organization guidelines stated that the use of HFNC is to be placed before intubation in the overall plan of management of severe COVID 19 cases. WHO recommends the use of HFNC when conventional oxygen therapy fails and preferentially over non-invasive ventilation. HFNC can get patients through respiratory failure and avoid intubation is increasingly recognized.

The Action COVID-19 Team (ACT) fund created by the start-up and venture capital community is advancing health technology solutions for preventing, detecting, treating, and eradicating the coronavirus. Funded projects focus on preventing the spread of COVID-19, increasing testing, helping people manage the virus at home, supporting healthcare workers and hospitals, promoting mental health, ensuring healthy food access, and advancing a vaccine and treatments. More than 20 state governments in India are using these innovations, with further adoption to come.

CEC, Hill Council, Leh, Advocate Tashi Gyalson thanked Dr. Nordan Otzer and ACT team for their invaluable contribution and services on behalf of LAHDC, Leh. He said that such an initiative will help a lot in saving precious lives from the COVID-19 pandemic.