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The Hindu
23-05-2025
- Health
- The Hindu
A medical oxygen access gap SE Asia must bridge
Oxygen is a life-saving essential medicine with no substitute. Because of the complexity of the industrial production process, there are many challenges in access to medical oxygen such as availability, quality, affordability, management, supply, human resources capacity and safety. Some five billion people around the world lack access to safe, quality, and affordable medical oxygen. The Lancet Global Health Commission on medical oxygen security highlights a stark reality — that South Asia and East Asia and the Pacific have the highest unfulfilled demand for medical oxygen (the oxygen service coverage gap in these two regions is 78% and 74% respectively), and there is a clear and urgent need for action to rectify this. The COVID-19 pandemic exposed vulnerabilities in oxygen infrastructure, particularly in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). While that crisis did trigger emergency interventions to alleviate the situation, long-term progress has been slow. A World Health Organization (WHO) report (2022), 'Promising practices and lessons learnt in the South-East Asia Region in accessing medical oxygen during the COVID-19 pandemic', points out that sustained investments and policy commitments are required to ensure that oxygen is available where it is needed most. WHO's Access to Medical Oxygen Resolution and The Lancet Global Health Commission on Medical Oxygen Security provide a road map for scaling up solutions, but its implementation requires urgent action. Governments, global health agencies, industry and civil society must come together to close the oxygen gap. This is an opportunity to create lasting and equitable access to a life-saving medical intervention. Challenges hindering oxygen access Several systemic barriers hinder the availability of medical oxygen, preventing its integration into health-care systems. The first is the shortage of equipment — only 54% of hospitals in LMICs have pulse oximeters and 58% have access to medical oxygen. Consequently, this gap in basic monitoring and supply infrastructure leads to delayed diagnoses, inadequate treatment and preventable fatalities, a deficiency that intensifies dramatically during severe respiratory outbreaks, let alone pandemics. Without the necessary diagnostic tools, health-care providers struggle to detect and manage oxygen deficiencies effectively. However, the issue extends beyond equipment availability. The financial burden associated with increasing oxygen access remains a major obstacle. Bridging the global oxygen gap requires $6.8 billion, with South Asia alone needing $2.6 billion. The reality is that many LMICs face competing health-care priorities, making it difficult to allocate substantial funding toward oxygen infrastructure. Therefore, efforts to improve oxygen access risk being short-lived without sustainable financing mechanisms. Compounding the challenge is the acute shortage of trained biomedical engineers and technicians. Even when oxygen plants and concentrators are available, a lack of skilled professionals to install, maintain and repair them can lead to frequent breakdowns. These deficiencies exacerbate disparities in access, especially in rural and underserved communities, where alternative solutions are often unavailable. There needs to be a long-term and multi-pronged approach that integrates innovation, investment and policy action. Transparency, data-driven decision-making, and a strong policy framework will be crucial. The WHO Access to Medical Oxygen Scorecard is a key tool in tracking progress and ensuring accountability, playing a pivotal role in monitoring progress on the WHO Oxygen Resolution. The resolution calls for reporting 'on progress in the implementation of this resolution to the Health Assembly in 2026, 2028 and 2030'. National governments should develop medical oxygen scale-up plans with support from WHO, to strengthen oxygen ecosystems, allocate resources effectively, and address infrastructure gaps. Tailoring these strategies to health-care needs can create sustainable, resilient oxygen delivery models. In South-East Asia, WHO has facilitated intra-regional cooperation between countries to build capacity. In partnership with Nepal's National Health Training Center, WHO facilitated training for biomedical engineers and technicians, leading to the installation of state-of-the-art PSA oxygen plants in Bhutan. The training will ensure sustainable operations and maintenance, and this model of cross-border collaboration can be replicated across LMICs. Infrastructure is insufficient Ensuring a stable oxygen supply requires strong partnerships between governments, the private sector and international organisations. WHO emphasises local manufacturing to reduce import dependence, cut costs, and improve accessibility. Decentralised production can address supply imbalances and enhance last-mile delivery. Innovations such as portable oxygen concentrators, solar-powered generators, booster pumps and community-based hubs can bridge accessibility gaps, especially in remote areas. Integrating these solutions into health-care plans can ensure that life-saving oxygen reaches every patient. Power disruptions hinder oxygen production in South-East Asia, as in many LMICs. In these low-resource settings, solar-powered oxygen systems are a cost-effective and low-maintenance innovation that ensures uninterrupted supply, lower costs and reduced grid dependence. Ethiopia and Nigeria have successfully implemented solar-powered oxygen delivery systems in remote health-care facilities, improving access and saving lives. The South-East Asia region should promote and invest in the solarisation of oxygen plants to ensure a stable supply amid energy insecurity and health crises. Strengthening oxygen ecosystems Bridging the oxygen gap requires a unified, multi-stakeholder approach. Governments should lead the way by integrating oxygen access into universal health coverage and emergency preparedness plans. A clear regulatory framework should be established to ensure the quality and the safety of medical oxygen, along with standardised protocols for storage, transportation and distribution. These measures will be needed for sustaining long-term availability of quality medical oxygen. The private sector must also invest in local production and supply chain optimisation. Industry players have a crucial role in developing cost-effective, scalable solutions that cater to the specific needs of LMICs. Further, global health agencies must ensure that oxygen access remains a funding priority, facilitating financial support for infrastructure development, equipment procurement and workforce training. Academia and research institutions can contribute by focusing on low-cost, innovative oxygen solutions tailored for LMICs. Prioritising affordability, efficiency and adaptability will be key. Using digital technologies for real-time monitoring, predictive demand analytics and supply chain management can further enhance the efficiency of oxygen delivery systems. The oxygen crisis is a solvable problem that demands coordinated action, sustainable financing, and strong political will. Our success in installing PSA oxygen plants in countries demonstrates that strategic investments, cross-border collaboration, and workforce training can yield long-term solutions. To maximise COVID-era investments in PSA oxygen plants, countries must ensure operational readiness. Ideally, donors who have already shown support for these initiatives during the pandemic should continue to support ongoing efforts. Surplus capacity should be distributed to peripheral facilities using booster pumps. WHO stands ready to provide technical support. As The Lancet Global Health Commission on medical oxygen security reminds us, access to medical oxygen is not just a health issue but also a matter of equity and human rights. Oxygen should never be a privilege but rather a fundamental right for all. Instead of crisis-driven approaches, sustainable investments in oxygen infrastructure can – and must – be made, ensuring that no one is left behind in their moment of need. Saima Wazed is Regional Director, World Health Organization (WHO) South East Asia
Yahoo
11-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Concerning report reveals disturbing lack of access to one critical medical resource: 'More than 60% of the world's population'
In many parts of the world, the basic right to breathe is at risk. A new report highlights that more than 5 billion people globally still lack access to "safe, quality, and affordable" life-saving medical oxygen. According to the Lancet Global Health Commission report, an estimated 374 million people globally require medical oxygen each year to treat a wide range of conditions. Unfortunately, about 82% of those needing oxygen live in low- and middle-income countries where access to supplemental oxygen is at a crisis point. "More than 5 billion people — more than 60% of the world's population — do not have access to safe, quality, and affordable medical oxygen services," according to the report. The demand for medical oxygen is rising, partly driven by an increase in long-term oxygen therapy needs due to air pollution and rising global temperatures. Yet in many low-income communities, access to this critical resource remains "nearly nonexistent," per the report. Sub-Saharan Africa faces the most severe gap — only 9% of patients who need medical oxygen there actually receive it. The report adds that medical oxygen shortages have been especially felt in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. It also highlights several factors contributing to these shortages globally, including limited oxygen supplies at healthcare facilities, a lack of diagnostic tools to detect oxygen needs, low rates of healthcare visits, inadequate quality of oxygen care, and high costs. Additionally, many facilities lack trained personnel to safely administer oxygen therapy. Medical oxygen is essential for treating a wide range of health conditions, including acute and chronic respiratory conditions. Without it, hundreds of thousands of preventable deaths occur every year, particularly in low-income countries where health systems are already under strain. The need for medical oxygen is expected to intensify as global temperatures rise and air pollution increases, leading to a higher prevalence and severity of respiratory conditions. More people are experiencing asthma attacks, lung infections, and other oxygen-depleting illnesses due to the state of our environment. Vulnerable populations face compounded risks, as they are most likely to face the most extreme impacts of average temperature shifts and are most likely to lack access to medical oxygen. Ensuring widespread access to medical oxygen is not just a health issue — it's a justice issue, too. Do you worry about air pollution in and around your home? Yes — always Yes — often Yes — sometimes No — never Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. Global efforts to improve access to medical oxygen have gained momentum in recent years, especially after the COVID-19 pandemic made it clear just how uneven access is around the world. On a global scale, the Lancet Global Health Commission report estimates $6.8 billion is required annually to overcome medical oxygen shortages in low- and middle-income countries. That estimate doesn't even include extra demand during pandemics or the ongoing needs for people on long-term oxygen therapy. But improving oxygen access isn't just about the supply. The report points out that we also need to tackle the root causes of respiratory illness, including increasing vaccination rates, reducing smoking, improving nutrition, and addressing air pollution. Public health interventions like increasing flu and RSV vaccines could "significantly reduce the incidence of respiratory infections and lessen oxygen demand," per the report. It also encourages all governments to develop national oxygen plans by 2030 to prioritize affordable access. So far, national oxygen plans have been developed in fewer than 30 countries. The report reads, "These plans must go beyond simply increasing oxygen supply; they require integrating oxygen systems into national healthcare infrastructure, ensuring adequate training of clinical and engineering workforces, and establishing governance structures to oversee implementation." Join our free newsletter for weekly updates on the latest innovations improving our lives and shaping our future, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
Yahoo
19-02-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Medical oxygen in short supply in many parts of world: Research
An article published this week in The Lancet medical journal found that more than half of the world's population lacks access to safe and affordable medical oxygen services, and most people outside of high-income countries go without adequate oxygen services for their medical conditions. As the Lancet Global Health Commission noted in its report on medical oxygen security, about 374 million people need medical oxygen every year, with roughly 9 million people needing long-term oxygen due to chronic illness. However, there are gaps in coverage in low- and middle-income countries (LMIC). 'We found that more than 5 billion people—ie, more than 60% of the world's population—do not have access to safe, quality, and affordable medical oxygen services,' the commission wrote. 'In LMICs, only 89 million (30%) of the 299 million people who need oxygen for acute medical or surgical conditions receive adequate oxygen therapy, with the lowest access in sub-Saharan Africa.' They noted that this coverage gap of 70 percent far exceeds that of treatments for HIV/AIDS and tuberculosis. Common causes contributing to this gap include not being able to reach facilities, facilities not having the capacity for basic oxygen service, failure to identify the need for oxygen services and low-quality oxygen care. Earlier this month, an elderly Burmese refugee who depended on oxygen died after being discharged from a U.S.-funded hospital. This reportedly occurred after the hospital was closed following President Trump's order to freeze foreign aid. The commission estimated it would cost $6 to $8 billion annually to close this coverage gap in LMICs, which they acknowledged was costly while also noting that oxygen services are highly cost-effective. 'The case for investing in medical oxygen is strong: it is as cost-effective as routine childhood immunisation, would enable governments to make progress on eight of the nine [Sustainable Development Goal 3], and could reduce deaths during future pandemics,' they wrote. To better address this issue, the commission called for more countries to develop national oxygen plans that suit their unique national priorities and conditions. They also called for 'high-quality, robust pulse oximeters' to be made more affordable and accessible for small and rural health facilities, noting this essential measure is conducted in only about a fifth of people presenting at general hospitals in LMICs. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
The Hill
18-02-2025
- Health
- The Hill
Medical oxygen in short supply in many parts of world: Research
A new article published this week in The Lancet medical journal found that more than half of the world's population lacks access to safe and affordable medical oxygen services, and most people outside of high-income countries go without adequate oxygen services for their medical conditions. As the Lancet Global Health Commission noted in its report on medical oxygen security, about 374 million people need medical oxygen every year, with roughly 9 million people needing long-term oxygen due to chronic illness. However, there are gaps in coverage in low- and middle-income countries (LMIC). 'We found that more than 5 billion people—ie, more than 60% of the world's population—do not have access to safe, quality, and affordable medical oxygen services,' the commission wrote. 'In LMICs, only 89 million (30%) of the 299 million people who need oxygen for acute medical or surgical conditions receive adequate oxygen therapy, with the lowest access in sub-Saharan Africa.' They noted that this coverage gap of 70 percent far exceeds that of treatments for HIV/AIDS and tuberculosis. Common causes contributing to this gap include not being able to reach facilities, facilities not having the capacity for basic oxygen service, failure to identify the need for oxygen services and low-quality oxygen care. Earlier this month, an elderly Burmese refugee who depended on oxygen died after being discharged from a U.S.-funded hospital. This reportedly occurred after the hospital was closed following President Trump's order to freeze foreign aid. The commission estimated it would cost $6 to $8 billion annually to close this coverage gap in LMICs, which they acknowledged was costly while also noting that oxygen services are highly cost-effective. 'The case for investing in medical oxygen is strong: it is as cost-effective as routine childhood immunisation, would enable governments to make progress on eight of the nine [Sustainable Development Goal 3], and could reduce deaths during future pandemics,' they wrote. To better address this issue, the commission called for more countries to develop national oxygen plans that suit their unique national priorities and conditions. They also called for 'high-quality, robust pulse oximeters' to be made more affordable and accessible for small and rural health facilities, noting this essential measure is conducted in only about a fifth of people presenting at general hospitals in LMICs.
