Despite its critical role in saving lives, over 5 billion people worldwide lack access to safe, affordable medical oxygen—a pressing issue that this report aims to address through urgent reforms.
The Lancet Global Health Commission on Medical Oxygen Security was launched in 2022 with the goal of understanding the root causes of medical oxygen shortages and offering comprehensive recommendations for all stakeholders. The commission underscores that medical oxygen is not just a commodity but an essential public service requiring coordinated investments in production, distribution, regulation, and financing.
Medical oxygen is as vital as vaccines yet remains severely underfunded. While childhood immunization programs receive widespread investment, access to medical oxygen often goes overlooked despite its comparable cost-effectiveness in saving lives. This shortfall affects children and adults with various acute and chronic conditions alike, including those undergoing surgery.
The global need for medical oxygen is staggering: approximately 380 million people worldwide require it annually due to illness or injury. In low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), the demand far exceeds supply, leading to severe health disparities.
Several factors contribute to this crisis:
- Lack of trained healthcare professionals skilled in oxygen administration
- Inadequate funding for medical oxygen systems
- High costs associated with long-term use and maintenance of equipment
- Poor access to diagnostic tools like pulse oximeters, which are crucial for assessing the need for oxygen therapy.
The cost of reducing this shortage is estimated at approximately $6.8 billion per year in LMICs alone. However, despite this substantial expense, investing in medical oxygen services would prove highly cost-effective compared to other healthcare interventions and could contribute significantly to achieving global health targets.
Addressing the gap begins with developing national oxygen plans that integrate systems into broader healthcare infrastructure and ensure adequate training for both clinical and engineering staff. These efforts require collaborations between various sectors, including public and private entities involved in medical oxygen delivery, such as energy companies.
Pulse oximetry plays a pivotal role by measuring blood oxygen saturation—a vital step in identifying hypoxaemia and determining the need for oxygen therapy. Currently, only 19% of patients visiting general hospitals in LMICs can access this essential diagnostic tool. There is an urgent need to make high-quality pulse oximeters more affordable and accessible to all populations.
To achieve sustainable medical oxygen systems:
- Governments must prioritize local needs and optimize their infrastructure accordingly.
- Energy-efficient technologies should be integrated into national health plans, reducing financial and environmental costs while enhancing sustainability.
The commission also recommends that global health agencies maintain oxygen access as a top priority. This includes supporting initiatives like the Global Oxygen Alliance and replenishing The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria with a strong emphasis on improving oxygen availability in affected areas.
In conclusion, ensuring universal access to medical oxygen is essential for public health and global sustainability. By focusing on equity and investing in sustainable systems that integrate energy-efficient technologies, the commission provides a roadmap for maximizing accessibility at scale.
