Worldwide efforts required to address the medical oxygen shortage

The Urgent Need for Medical Oxygen

A recent report from the Lancet Global Health Commission underscores the critical shortage of medical oxygen that affects over half of the world’s population. Approximately 400 million individuals, including both children and adults, require medical oxygen annually. Alarmingly, more than five billion people, or about 60% of the global population, lack access to safe and affordable medical oxygen services. This report, which highlights potential pathways for investment in medical oxygen systems, suggests that improvements in this area could save millions of lives and enhance pandemic preparedness.

Coalition of Experts Behind the Report

The Commission behind the report included leading institutions such as Makerere University in Uganda, the International Centre for Diarrheal Disease Research (icddr,b) in Bangladesh, Murdoch Children’s Research Institute (MCRI) in Australia, Karolinska Institute in Sweden, and the Every Breath Counts Coalition in the U.S. Formed in 2022 amid the COVID-19 pandemic, the Commission aimed to offer actionable recommendations to governments, industries, global health bodies, donors, and the healthcare workforce concerning medical oxygen access.

Unlocking Global Equity in Oxygen Access

Dr. Hamish Graham from MCRI commented on how the pandemic revealed deep-rooted inequities in medical oxygen accessibility. He stated that oxygen is crucial at all healthcare levels for treating a range of acute and chronic conditions. Previous COVID-19 responses focused primarily on increasing oxygen production equipment, leaving the systems necessary for safe distribution, maintenance, and usage under-resourced.

To address the medical oxygen crisis effectively, cities and countries need to implement national oxygen plans that prioritize strengthening health systems and increase access to essential diagnostic tools like pulse oximeters—devices that measure the oxygen levels in the blood. Currently, issues persist where pulse oximeters are available in only 54% of general and 83% of tertiary hospitals in low- and middle-income nations, often leading to a mere 20% patient measurement rate in these settings.

Key Findings from the Report

The report revealed several critical insights:

1. High Global Demand: A staggering 374 million people annually require medical oxygen, including 364 million with acute conditions and nine million with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
2. Lack of Equity: Despite pandemic-driven investments, less than one-third of patients in low- and middle-income countries receive necessary oxygen for acute conditions, highlighting vast inequities.
3. Need for National Plans: Fewer than 30 countries have developed actionable National Medical Oxygen Plans so far, but all governments are encouraged to establish one by 2030 to facilitate investment and coordinate service delivery effectively.
4. Location-Specific Solutions: Oxygen systems must be tailored to the specific context of countries, incorporating operational costs and ensuring affordability for all.
5. Importance of Pulse Oximetry: Pulse oximeters should be integrated into clinical guidelines and available at every healthcare level to improve patient outcomes.
6. Collaborative Efforts: Greater cooperation is needed between the medical oxygen industry, national governments, and global health organizations. Companies should adopt access targets, while health agencies should regularly assess the industry’s progress.
7. Data for Decision-Making: Accurate, timely data on oxygen systems is crucial. Tools like the 10 Oxygen Coverage Indicators and the Access to Medical Oxygen Scorecard (ATMO2S) will assist governments in planning and tracking oxygen service delivery effectively.

Future Initiatives

The report follows an announcement that MCRI would partner with twelve countries in the Pacific and Southeast Asia to enhance child health through the ReALiSE program. Supported by a strategic grant from the Australian Government, this three-year initiative aims to strengthen public health systems and engage local communities to ensure better health outcomes for young people.

The findings underscore a pressing global challenge and the need for comprehensive strategies to ensure equitable access to medical oxygen for all, which is crucial for effective healthcare delivery and pandemic preparedness.

Materials provided by Murdoch Childrens Research Institute. Note: Content may be edited for style and length.

Murdoch Childrens Research Institute. “Global action needed to solve the medical oxygen crisis.” ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 17 February 2025. www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/02/250217205944.htm.