Medical oxygen access in SE Asia must improve.

Challenges in Accessing Medical Oxygen

• The industrial production process of medical oxygen poses numerous challenges including availability, quality, affordability, management, supply, human resources capacity, and safety.

• South Asia and East Asia and the Pacific have the highest unfulfilled demand for medical oxygen, with an oxygen service coverage gap of 78% and 74% respectively.

The COVID-19 Pandemic and Oxygen Infrastructure

• The pandemic exposed vulnerabilities in oxygen infrastructure, especially in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs).

• The pandemic triggered emergency interventions, but long-term progress has been slow.

The Need for Sustainable Investments and Policy Commitments

• The World Health Organization (WHO) report (2022) emphasizes the need for sustained investments and policy commitments to ensure oxygen is available where it is needed most.

• The WHO Access to Medical Oxygen Scorecard is a key tool in tracking progress and ensuring accountability.

Stability of Oxygen Supply

• Strong partnerships between governments, the private sector, and international organizations are needed to ensure a stable oxygen supply.

• Innovations such as portable oxygen concentrators, solar-powered generators, booster pumps, and community-based hubs can bridge accessibility gaps.

• Power disruptions hinder oxygen production in South-East Asia, but solar-powered oxygen systems can ensure uninterrupted supply, lower costs, and reduced grid dependence.

Strengthening Oxygen Ecosystems

• A unified, multi-stakeholder approach is needed to bridge the oxygen gap.

• Governments should integrate oxygen access into universal health coverage and emergency preparedness plans.

• The private sector must invest in local production and supply chain optimisation.

• Industry players have a crucial role in developing cost-effective, scalable solutions.

• Global health agencies must ensure that oxygen access remains a funding priority.

• Academia and research institutions can contribute by focusing on low-cost, innovative oxygen solutions tailored for LMICs.

The Oxygen Crisis

• Access to medical oxygen is a solvable problem that demands coordinated action, sustainable financing, and strong political will.

• Sustainable investments in oxygen infrastructure can ensure no one is left behind in their moment of need.