As we observe World Oxygen Day 2024, the global oxygen crisis remains a formidable obstacle to achieving SDG 3 (good health and well-being). Oxygen is vital for newborn care, safe surgeries, and managing chronic diseases like COPD. However, many low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) continue to grapple with severe shortages. The Oxygen Alliance’s situational analysis of 49 hospitals across three countries paints a worrisome picture: over half of oxygen concentrators are non-functional, while nearly 30% deliver oxygen at dangerously low purity levels. Furthermore, the scarcity of biomedical engineers, with only 0.79 per 100 hospital beds, hinders hospitals’ ability to maintain this vital equipment.
|
|
|
| |
Newborn survival (SDG 3.2)
Insufficient oxygen levels are a major contributor to newborn mortality, particularly for those with respiratory distress and infections like pneumonia, as highlighted by Dr. Chinyere Ezeaka of Lagos University. | |
Chronic disease management (SDG 3.4) With COPD cases projected to reach 600 million by 2050, the demand for home oxygen therapy is escalating. Yet, many low-income regions still lack access to this life-saving resource, notes Mike Hess from the COPD Foundation. | |
Surgical safety (SDG 3.8) The lack of oxygen access in low-resource settings, with 80% of global surgical oxygen needs unmet, severely compromises patient safety, emphasizes Dr. Arthur Kwizera from Makerere University. |
|
|
|
The Oxygen Alliance’s contribution to the oxygen ecosystem is centered on countering the oxygen crisis, tackling skill shortages and data gaps with a comprehensive strategy that prioritizes sustainable healthcare technology management. |
|
|
 | Government Collaborations |
Providing data-driven insights to prioritize oxygen availability. |
|
|
 |
BME Konza Appâž™ | Empowering biomedical engineers with offline access to manuals and tutorials for critical repairs. |
|
|
 | Webinars for Upskilling ➙ |
Training engineers to master operation and maintenance protocols for oxygen systems, thereby reducing equipment failures. |
|
|  |
Academic Partnerships | Strengthening biomedical curriculums to cultivate a capable future workforce. | |
|
|
The SDGs cannot be realized without addressing oxygen access. This World Oxygen Day, we urge global leaders to invest in sustainable solutions that will repair critical equipment, train engineers, and guarantee life-saving oxygen for all
|
|
|
Oxygen Alliance Situational Analysis at a Glance |
|
|
|
15,670 |
Total bed capacity | |
|
| |
|
<1 | Biomedical engineers per 100 beds |
|
|
|
29.3% | of working oxygen concentrators produce oxygen purity below the WHO recommended level of 82% |
|
| |
48.6% |
of oxygen concentrators are non functional | |
|
|
|
|
