Medical oxygen is a life-saving necessity, yet around 5 billion people lack access to it, especially in South Asia and East Asia-Pacific. The COVID-19 pandemic exposed deep gaps in oxygen infrastructure, equipment, funding, and skilled personnel, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. Sustainable solutions include local production, solar-powered systems, skilled workforce training, and strong policy frameworks. Urgent, coordinated global action is needed to make oxygen universally available, not as a privilege, but as a basic human right.

Global Oxygen Crisis

• Oxygen is a basic and essential medicine with no alternative. It is vital for treating various medical conditions, especially those affecting breathing.
• Despite its importance, 5 billion people around the world lack access to safe, affordable, and quality medical oxygen.
• South Asia and East Asia & Pacific are the worst affected regions. In South Asia, 78% of the demand for medical oxygen is unmet; in East Asia & Pacific, it’s 74%.
• The COVID-19 pandemic revealed huge gaps in the oxygen supply system, especially in poorer countries. Though emergency help came during the pandemic, long-term improvements are still lacking.

Main Challenges in Oxygen Access

• Lack of Equipment:
  • Only 54% of hospitals in poorer countries have pulse oximeters (devices that measure oxygen levels).
  • Only 58% have access to medical oxygen, which makes it hard to treat patients effectively.
• Financial Barriers:
  • It will take $6.8 billion globally to close the oxygen gap.
  • South Asia alone needs $2.6 billion, but many countries can’t afford this due to other healthcare priorities.
• Shortage of Skilled Technicians:
  • Even when oxygen machines are installed, there aren’t enough trained engineers to maintain and repair them, especially in rural areas.
• Infrastructure & Power Issues:
  • Frequent power cuts hinder oxygen production in low-resource areas.
  • Many regions still depend on imported oxygen, which increases cost and reduces availability.

Reports and Global Support

• A WHO report from 2022 emphasized that governments must invest in oxygen infrastructure and create long-term policies.
•  WHO has passed a resolution (called Access to Medical Oxygen Resolution) which asks countries to report progress in 2026, 2028, and 2030.
• WHO also created an “Oxygen Scorecard” to help track countries’ progress.
• A good example is WHO’s partnership with Nepal, which trained engineers and helped Bhutan install modern oxygen plants.

Innovations and Solutions

• Local production of oxygen should be increased to reduce dependence on foreign supply.
• New technologies are helping, such as:
  • Portable oxygen concentrators
  • Solar-powered oxygen generators (good for areas with power cuts)
  • Booster pumps to move oxygen to smaller hospitals
• Countries like Ethiopia and Nigeria have successfully used solar-powered oxygen systems in remote hospitals.
• Digital tools (like real-time monitoring and prediction software) can improve the supply chain and reduce delays.

Steps to Build a Strong Oxygen System

• Governments should take the lead and include oxygen access in their regular healthcare and emergency plans.
• There should be clear rules for oxygen safety, storage, transport, and quality.
• Private companies should invest in local oxygen production and create cheaper, scalable solutions for poorer countries.
• Global health agencies and donors must continue funding oxygen access, even after the COVID crisis.
• Universities and researchers should develop affordable and efficient oxygen technologies.
• The issue is not just about health; it’s about human rights and fairness. Oxygen should be available to every person in every country, not just the rich or urban populations.