Access to Medical Oxygen: Challenges and Solutions

Medical Oxygen Importance: Oxygen is a vital, life-saving medicine with no substitutes. However, access is plagued by challenges such as availability, quality, affordability, and infrastructure.

Global Demand and Supply Challenges

• Unmet Demand: Approximately five billion people globally lack access to safe and affordable medical oxygen. South Asia and East Asia and the Pacific have the highest service coverage gaps, at 78% and 74% respectively.
• COVID-19 Impact: The pandemic highlighted existing vulnerabilities in oxygen infrastructure, particularly in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Emergency measures were implemented, but long-term solutions remain necessary.

Economic and Infrastructure Barriers

• Equipment Shortages: Only 54% of hospitals in LMICs have pulse oximeters, and 58% have access to medical oxygen, leading to delayed diagnoses and preventable deaths.
• Financial Constraints: Closing the global oxygen gap requires $6.8 billion, with $2.6 billion needed in South Asia alone. Many LMICs struggle with competing healthcare priorities.
• Workforce Shortages: A lack of trained biomedical engineers leads to equipment failures and discrepancies in oxygen access, especially in rural areas.

Proposed Solutions and Innovations

• Policy and Investment: A multi-pronged approach integrating innovation, investment, and policy action is essential. The WHO Access to Medical Oxygen Scorecard aids in tracking progress and accountability.
• Capacity Building: WHO has facilitated training programs, such as in Bhutan with Nepal’s National Health Training Center, to ensure sustainable operations of oxygen plants.
• Decentralized Production: Emphasizing local manufacturing reduces import dependence and costs. Innovations like portable oxygen concentrators and solar-powered systems improve accessibility.
• Energy Solutions: Solar-powered oxygen systems are effective in regions with power disruptions, enhancing supply stability as evidenced in Ethiopia and Nigeria.

Stakeholder Engagement and Future Directions

• Government Role: Governments should integrate oxygen access into universal health coverage and establish regulatory frameworks for quality assurance.
• Private Sector Involvement: Investment in local production and cost-effective solutions by industry players is crucial for optimizing supply chains.
• Global Health Agencies: Ensuring oxygen access as a funding priority facilitates infrastructure development and training.
• Research and Innovation: Academic institutions can develop low-cost oxygen solutions tailored for LMICs, leveraging digital technologies for improved efficiency.

Conclusion: The oxygen crisis is a resolvable issue requiring coordinated action, sustainable financing, and political commitment. Access to medical oxygen is a matter of equity and human rights, necessitating investments to ensure no one is left behind.