Unprescribed use of oxygen could be harmful: DOH exec

MANILA – A health official on Wednesday appealed to the public not to buy oxygen tanks for their homes, warning that using oxygen without a doctor’s prescription could do more harm than good.

In an online media forum, Health Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire emphasized that use of oxygen tanks or administration of oxygen depends on a person’s condition.

“For example, you are not sick and you don’t have any respiratory difficulties, difficulty in breathing and all, baka makasama pa ito sa inyo kesa makakabuti kasi (this can be bad for you because) too much oxygen that we take when we are at that normal or stable condition might also affect our breathing process and other activities,” she said.

Apart from being “not rational” due to its possible side effects, Vergeire noted buying oxygen tanks for home use would also deplete the supply of oxygen tanks for hospitals and healthcare facilities.

“We encourage at nakikiusap po kami sa ating suppliers na ito pong pagbebenta natin at pagpapahiram ng oxygen tanks natin ay ma-regulate natin na ang talagang kumukuha sa inyo ay hospital facilities lang muna natin (and plead to suppliers to regulate the selling and lending of oxygen tanks and to prioritize the need of hospital facilities),” she said.

Vergeire advised the public to always call their local governments and doctors “if they advise you that you need oxygen then that’s the time you need oxygen.”