An oxygen plant with the capacity to fill 300 cylinders daily has officially started operations in Bahir Dar City, Amhara Regional State, last week. Under Bahir Dar University Medical & Health Science College, the plant is the second in the city, following inauguration of an oxygen production centre in Felege Hiwot Hospital two years ago, which has the capacity to produce up to 60 cylinders a day. A severe shortage of medical oxygen crippled healthcare providers when the COVID-19 pandemic was at its peak in April and May 2021, and the number of severe cases hovered at around 1,000 people daily. Two oxygen plants, one in Ambo and another in the capital, were inaugurated just over three months ago with facilitation from the Ministry of Health.