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We are proud of the progress GO₂AL and its members have made helping more than 50 countries increase access to pulse oximetry and medical oxygen since our launch at the World Health Assembly in 2023. At the same time, as we celebrate this progress, we know that we have to do much more to close the wide gaps in access to oxygen that remain in most low-resource settings. GO₂AL, a multi-stakeholder partnership, has commissioned the development of a Global Oxygen Strategic Framework and Investment Case which will be launched on the sidelines of the World Health Summit. This forthcoming investment case will be a global good and resource for all actors as they work to help drive impact for oxygen access in the countdown to 2030 for the Sustainable Development Goals.
For World Oxygen Day 2024, we are highlighting just a sample of the inspiring work that our members have achieved in partnership with governments, industry and other important stakeholders.
The Global Fund in Mauritania: The Global Fund financed two pressure swing adsorption (PSA) plants at the Boghé and Zouératt Regional Hospitals in Mauritania and a new gas piping system that delivers oxygen right to bedside. For the first time, both hospitals are self-sufficient in providing oxygen. The plants provide enough medical oxygen to fill up to 54 cylinders each day and the hospital can even distribute oxygen to surrounding health facilities—significantly strengthening healthcare in the region. The Global Fund worked with i+solutions, which managed the procurement, construction, installation, and staff training, and African company Afrimed Medical Supplies. The director of the hospital, Mr. Cheuf Ahmed Maadh, noted, “this initiative is a gamechanger for our hospital and the communities we serve.”
UNICEF in Nigeria: UNICEF, with financing from the Government of Canada and in partnership with local company IHS Nigeria, installed a cutting-edge PSA plant in the Eleme General Hospital in Rivers State. The Nigerian Federal Ministry of Health used the results of a comprehensive nationwide assessment to strategically determine placement of new PSA plants—including in Rivers State. Ownership of the plant has now been handed over to the Rivers State Government. The public-private partnership model adopted for its management promises long-term impact—strengthening maternal and child health services across the state. At the cutting of the ribbon, Cristian Muandate, UNICEF Representative said, “we celebrate more than just the inauguration of a new oxygen plant; we celebrate hope, progress, and the promise of a healthier future for every child in Rivers State.”
WHO in Kiribati: WHO, with financing from the European Union, installed a PSA plant at the Kiritimati District Hospital in the Pacific Island nation of Kiribati, providing life-saving oxygen for COVID-19, pneumonia, and other respiratory conditions. This plant provides enough medical oxygen to fill up to 24 oxygen cylinders each day and reduces reliance on oxygen shipments from over 3,320 km away – a major cause of oxygen shortages on the island. Having a PSA plant onsite allows the hospital to manage fluctuations in demand for medical oxygen and offers crucial support to the remote atoll’s healthcare system. Dr Teraira Bangao from the Kiritimati District Hospital emphasizes, “we greatly appreciate the support of WHO and donors to make us better prepared to face future disasters and outbreaks.”
WHO in Somalia: WHO, with financing from the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center (KSRelief), launched the Every Breath Counts project to equip 28 health facilities in 10 districts with solar-powered oxygen concentrators, newborn incubators, and ambulances, and training over 700 health workers to improve care for children under five. Aiming to reduce child deaths from pneumonia and diarrhoea, this initiative is estimated to benefit over 200,000 children and more than 3 million community members in these districts. H.E. Mr Hamza Abdi Barre, Prime Minister of Somalia, stated, “KSrelief and WHO are helping to set up a sustainable health delivery model which will prove beneficial not only for achieving universal health coverage but also Somalia’s key elements of Essential Package of Health Services.”
PATH in India, Kenya, Senegal, and Tanzania: PATH, with funding from Unitaid, introduced 302 pulse oximeters in 236 primary health care facilities and 189 digital tools (tablets) (known as clinical decision support algorithms) in 153 facilities across the state of Uttar Pradesh in India, Kenya, Senegal, and Tanzania, along with training and supportive supervision for health care providers. In collaboration with country governments and along with global partners, the Tools for Integrated Management of Childhood Illness (TIMCI) project increased access to these lifesaving tools so that health care workers can identify critically ill children and refer them for timely treatment. Amos Mugisha, PATH Tanzania country director, stated, “I believe the TIMCI findings will catalyze positive change in our policies to improve the detection of severe illness among children and the general population at large.”
PATH in Zambia: PATH, with funding from Unitaid, procured and supplied new oxygen equipment—including pulse oximeters and nasal high-flow systems—for the pediatric intensive care unit at University Teaching Hospitals—Children’s Hospital in Lusaka, Zambia. In addition, hospital staff were also trained in the use of the new equipment. The impact on patient outcomes has been profound—with a reduction in the average length of stay for newborn patients from seven to five days. Dr. Manoj Matthews, Head of Clinical Care emphasized, “the new equipment has not only improved the quality of care we can provide, but it has also allowed us to dramatically increase access to life-sustaining oxygen for our neonatal and pediatric patients.”
CHAI and Unitaid in Ethiopia: CHAI, with funding from the Gates Foundation, supported Ethiopia’s COVID-19 response by installing oxygen systems, including two PSA plants, and training over 2,000 healthcare workers at the Millennium Hall treatment center. This new set up provided 40-60% more oxygen during peak times and served over 7,000 patients. As the pandemic eased, CHAI, in collaboration with Unitaid, facilitated the redeployment of the PSA plants to a high-demand facility—Tikur Anbessa Specialized Hospital—significantly reducing costs and increasing oxygen access. CHAI’s partnership with Unitaid and the Ethiopian government has been critical to ensuring that the oxygen infrastructure established during the pandemic continues to serve long-term healthcare needs across all regions of the country.
Build Health International in Rwanda: Build Health International, in collaboration with the Rwandan Ministry of Health and other partners, unveiled its new oxygen delivery system safety training curriculum and hosted the first official training at the Integrated Polytechnic Regional Center Kigali. In total, 56 individuals representing 24 hospitals were trained. “Trainees were excited to touch the cylinders, to open the valves, and to touch the manifold,” shares Jean Christian Singirankabo Ujeneza, a BHI biomedical engineer. “It helped them understand and apply the theory we gave them in the classroom.” This curriculum aims to keep biomedical technicians safe while they do their jobs while also ensuring effective maintenance and repair of the equipment necessary to provide medical oxygen. Promoting the health, safety, and well-being of health workers, including biomedical technicians, will improve the quality of patient care and increase the resilience of Rwanda’s health system.
UNDP in Pakistan: UNDP, with funding from the Global Fund, installed a PSA plant at Sheikh Zayed Bin Khalifa Hospital in Balochistan—one of 36 hospitals across Pakistan being equipped with oxygen generation technology. This new PSA plant will play a critical role in ensuring reliable supply of medical oxygen—and strengthen ownership and capacity of the hospital to provide this lifesaving treatment. The Minister of Health, Balochistan, Mr. Sardar Faisal Khan Jamali stated, “the PSA plant is a promising step towards improving health sector service delivery in Balochistan and forms a critical component of the Government’s ongoing efforts to improve medical facilities in the province.”
UNOPS in Bangladesh: UNOPS, with funding from the Global Fund, is installing 30 PSA plants across Bangladesh. UNOPS manages the design and construction of the plants, procurement of supporting infrastructure such as generators, medical gas cylinders, oxygen masks and more, and training and capacity building for maintenance staff. So far, three plants have been completed and handed over to local authorities, with the remaining to follow soon. Ahmedul Kabir, Director General (In Charge) of the Directorate General of Health Services, said, “The PSA plant will not only enhance our treatment capabilities but also serve as a benchmark for future healthcare projects.”
Each of these efforts has been part of a larger, coordinated push by GO2AL, its members and network of partners. From infrastructure development to workforce training, these individual contributions have come together to maximize collective impact. However, we recognize that the journey is far from over. Much more needs to be done to guarantee universal access to medical oxygen to save lives now, and to ensure that every nation has surge capacity to respond quickly and effectively when the next respiratory pandemic strikes.
The new Global Oxygen Strategic Framework and Investment Case will spotlight the high returns from investing in medical oxygen access – measured in lives saved – and the relative cost-effectiveness of doing so. This is information that governments, traditional donors, and development finance institutions urgently need to close the wide gaps in access to medical oxygen that remain.
While GO2AL has made strides, we can do so much more. The investment case will shine a light onto those areas where investments can make the greatest difference now, and in the decade ahead. We have learned many lessons in the last four years, and we are ready to accelerate our work.
This is a pivotal moment. The need for medical oxygen is high and rising. Together, we can push harder and further, ensuring that medical oxygen is available for every patient who needs it no matter where they live. More details will be shared in the upcoming weeks as we prepare for the next phase of this journey.