Urgent Global Measures Required to Address Medical Oxygen Shortage

The global health community faces an urgent need to address a critical gap in medical oxygen access that affects millions across the world. According to a new report by the Lancet Global Health Commission, this medical necessity has become a focal point of health equity discussions, particularly in light of the COVID-19 pandemic, which magnified the disparities that exist within healthcare systems globally. The report underscores the necessity for national roadmaps, accessible care, and robust investments to transform the landscape of medical oxygen supply, which is vital for the treatment of various health conditions ranging from respiratory issues to surgical recovery.

With approximately 400 million individuals in need of medical oxygen each year, the data highlights a staggering reality: over five billion people, equivalent to 60% of the world’s population, remain without reliable access to safe and affordable medical oxygen services. This inequity poses a significant challenge for healthcare systems, especially in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), where the need is most acute and options are severely limited. Without appropriate measures, countless lives are at risk, reinforcing the call for immediate and strategic action to fill this gap.

Dr. Hamish Graham, a co-author of the report from the Murdoch Children’s Research Institute, emphasizes the role of oxygen at all levels of healthcare for individuals suffering from both chronic and acute conditions. His commentary reveals that previous efforts, particularly during the pandemic era, focused primarily on augmenting the supply side by producing more oxygen-generating equipment. However, this approach failed to address the underlying challenges related to distribution, maintenance, and safe administration, which are equally crucial for effective oxygen delivery.

In addressing the medical oxygen crisis, Dr. Graham advocates for strategic investments in national oxygen plans that would not only enhance the healthcare infrastructure but also promote the routine use of pulse oximeters. These small devices measure blood oxygen levels and are therefore essential for determining the need for oxygen therapy in patients. As it stands, these devices are found in just over half of general hospitals in LMICs, and their availability often suffers from regular shortages and malfunctioning equipment. The inequitable access further complicates healthcare delivery, with pulse oximetry rarely being performed on patients in primary care settings, particularly in remote and rural areas.

The report reveals that a significant portion of the population affected by respiratory ailments resides in Sub-Saharan Africa, where healthcare facilities frequently lack the necessary resources to provide adequate oxygen care. This alarming scenario calls for urgent action to ensure that affordable and high-quality pulse oximeters are broadly accessible to healthcare providers throughout these underserved regions. According to Dr. Graham, the pivotal point falls on both national governments and health organizations to innovate and devise suitable mechanisms that facilitate the integration of medical oxygen into standard treatment protocols across all healthcare settings.

Recognizing the importance of incorporating medical oxygen into national health strategies, the Commission stresses the need for cross-sector collaboration. Governments are urged to engage with public and private sector stakeholders, including representatives from health, education, industry, energy, and transportation, to devise a coherent governance structure that supports the Global Oxygen Alliance (GO₂AL) framework. Such collaboration would enable enhanced resource mobilization and better alignment of oxygen services, ultimately benefiting communities in need.

The report articulates key findings that illustrate the magnitude of the medical oxygen need globally. Annually, approximately 374 million people require oxygen, comprising a vast array of patients afflicted with acute and chronic health conditions. Additionally, amid pandemic-related investments, stark gaps in oxygen access persist, with less than 33% of the affected population in LMICs receiving the oxygen they need for acute health situations. This disparity further necessitates targeted investments, which the report estimates to involve six point eight billion US dollars per year to effectively address the access gap.

Furthermore, it points out that less than thirty countries have so far established National Medical Oxygen Plans. The recommendation is clear: governments should aim for the development of such plans by 2030. These plans are essential for facilitating investment and ensuring effective coordination in the delivery of medical oxygen services.

The report also tackles the significant operational aspect of oxygen systems, stating that their designs must be contextualized to meet local healthcare demands while maintaining affordability for all patients involved. There is no universally applicable model for medical oxygen systems—adaptations are necessary to suit local conditions and prioritize tailored solutions. Emphasizing pulse oximetry, the document advocates for its integration into clinical guidelines and education at all healthcare levels, reinforcing the idea that pulse oximeters are the gateway to ensuring safe and effective oxygen therapy delivery.

The Commission highlights the pressing need for revitalized engagements between the medical oxygen industry, national governments, and global health agencies. It calls for corporate partners to establish specific targets for increased oxygen access and to track their progress transparently, similar to mechanisms in place for the pharmaceutical industry where accountability metrics are regularly evaluated.

To enable informed decision-making, the availability of accurate and timely data regarding oxygen systems is essential. The report introduces innovative tools, like the Oxygen Coverage Indicators and the Access to Medical Oxygen Scorecard (ATMO₂S), both of which would empower governments to plan their national oxygen strategies effectively, while concurrently tracking progress in alignment with the World Health Organization’s Oxygen Resolution.

The global medical oxygen crisis poses a considerable threat to health outcomes, particularly in an era marked by increased vulnerability to respiratory diseases and rising health inequities. This recently published report acts as a clarion call for action, signaling that the time to address these gaps has never been more urgent. As the world continues to grapple with the long-term impacts of both the COVID-19 pandemic and existing healthcare disparities, the insights from the Lancet Global Health Commission report will prove invaluable in guiding future investments and interventions aimed at securing medical oxygen access for all.

By strategically investing in infrastructure, advocating for collaborative partnerships across multiple sectors, and fostering innovations in data collection and analysis, stakeholders can work together to reshape the landscape of medical oxygen access, ultimately contributing to the saving of millions of lives annually while advancing global health equity.

Subject of Research: Medical Oxygen Access and Inequities
Article Title: Reducing Global Inequities in Medical Oxygen Access: The Lancet Global Health Commission on Medical Oxygen Security
News Publication Date: February 17, 2025
Web References: Lancet Global Health Commission on Medical Oxygen Security
References: Hamish R Graham et al., Reducing global inequities in medical oxygen access
Image Credits: Murdoch Children’s Research Institute

Keywords: Medical Oxygen, Global Health, Health Equity, Pandemic Preparedness, Pulse Oximeters, Low and Middle-Income Countries

Tags: COVID-19 pandemic impactglobal health equityhealthcare disparitieshealthcare system challengesinvestment in healthcare infrastructureLancet Global Health Commission reportlow and middle-income countries healthcaremedical oxygen accessnational roadmaps for oxygen supplyrespiratory health needssurgical recovery oxygen requirementsurgent medical supplies