Importance and Global Oxygen Gap
Oxygen is a critical, life-saving medicine with no alternatives.
Producing medical oxygen is complex, leading to challenges like availability, quality, affordability, and safety.
Approximately five billion people worldwide lack access to safe and affordable medical oxygen.
South Asia and East Asia/Pacific have the highest unmet demand — oxygen service coverage gaps of 78% and 74%.
The COVID-19 pandemic revealed serious weaknesses in oxygen supply infrastructure, especially in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs).
Challenges in Access
Only about half of hospitals in LMICs have essential tools like pulse oximeters or medical oxygen supply.
Lack of monitoring and supply infrastructure results in delayed diagnosis and treatment, increasing preventable deaths during respiratory crises.
Financial constraints hinder efforts to improve oxygen access; billions of dollars are needed globally and regionally, with South Asia alone requiring $2.6 billion.
Many LMICs face competing healthcare priorities, making sustainable funding difficult.
A major issue is the shortage of trained biomedical engineers and technicians who can install, maintain, and repair oxygen equipment, especially in rural areas.
Need for Long-Term Solutions
A multi-faceted approach combining innovation, investment, policy, and transparency is essential for progress.
The WHO’s Access to Medical Oxygen Scorecard helps track progress and ensures accountability towards oxygen availability goals set for 2026, 2028, and 2030.
Governments should create tailored national oxygen scale-up plans with WHO support.
Regional collaboration, such as WHO’s partnership with Nepal and Bhutan, has enabled training of biomedical technicians and installation of advanced oxygen plants, creating models for other LMICs to follow.
Infrastructure and Innovations
Stable oxygen supply requires partnerships among governments, private sector, and international bodies.
Local manufacturing is encouraged to reduce import dependence and costs.
Innovations like portable concentrators, solar power, booster pumps, and community hubs help improve access.
Power outages are a big issue; solar-powered oxygen systems provide reliable, low-cost solutions.
Examples from Ethiopia and Nigeria show how solar-powered oxygen systems have saved lives in remote healthcare centers.
Way Forward: Equity and Sustainability
Governments should integrate oxygen access into universal health coverage and emergency preparedness frameworks.
Regulatory frameworks and safety standards for oxygen quality and supply must be established.
Private sector should invest in local production and efficient supply chains.
Global health agencies must keep oxygen a funding priority.
Research institutions should develop affordable, efficient oxygen technologies for LMICs.
Digital tools can improve monitoring and supply management.
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