La Paz, Bolivia — Newborn babies at a maternity hospital in Bolivia’s capital, La Paz, faced a critical oxygen shortage on Thursday as weeks of anti-government road blockades continued to disrupt the delivery of essential supplies to the city.
Medical staff warned that infants receiving intensive care treatment could be placed in grave danger if fresh oxygen supplies fail to arrive on time.
Inside the maternity hospital, the cries of newborns echoed from incubators as doctors monitored dwindling oxygen reserves. According to hospital officials, around 20 babies in intensive care depend on a continuous supply of oxygen for survival.
“The oxygen is expected to last until this afternoon,” said Dr Sergio Hinojosa, a physician at the hospital. “With what they are providing us, we are rotating the next oxygen supply. We hope this can be maintained. If there are any disruptions, we risk placing the babies in a critical condition. Oxygen is fundamental for ventilatory management, especially in intensive care.”
The shortages have also affected other healthcare facilities across the city.
At Hospital del Niño, La Paz’s only specialised paediatric hospital, staff reported severe food shortages. Maria Calle, a cook at the facility, said the hospital had been reduced to its last provisions, with only two chickens remaining to prepare meals for patients.
Approximately 150 children are currently receiving treatment at the hospital.
The crisis is the latest consequence of road blockades that have paralysed La Paz and the neighbouring city of El Alto. The demonstrations are being led by protesters demanding the resignation of President Rodrigo Paz over austerity measures and rising living costs.
In response to the unrest, President Paz said he had submitted a bill to Congress that would authorise joint police and military operations to clear blocked roads. He also urged lawmakers to fast-track the legislation.
Meanwhile, the U.S. State Department confirmed that Secretary of State Marco Rubio had spoken with President Paz and informed him that the Trump administration was increasing emergency assistance to Bolivia.
As supplies continue to dwindle, healthcare workers have appealed for humanitarian access to hospitals.
“We need oxygen. Please, let it through. Stop blocking it,” medical staff pleaded.
With oxygen stocks running dangerously low and supply routes still obstructed, hospitals across Bolivia’s capital face an increasingly urgent race against time.
Source: Reuters
