Lack of access to medical oxygen is causing widespread suffering and death
Five years after the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, as many as 60% of people continue to lack access to oxygen. The shortfall is leading to widespread suffering and death. This is the key finding of The Lancet Global Health Commission on Medical Oxygen Security, published today.
Unequal Access to Oxygen
The finding resonates strongly with advocates of Essential Emergency and Critical Care (EECC). The Commission included contributions from several researchers and experts affiliated with EECC Global. Published alongside the Commission’s report in Lancet Global Health is an EECC commentary describing how to “realise the benefits of oxygen through essential emergency and critical care”.
The Commission’s report “Reducing global inequities in medical oxygen access”, is the first time that comprehensive estimates of global oxygen coverage have been collated. It recommends how organisations can collaborate in order to “guarantee oxygen access for all”.
Oxygen Tanks in EECC Assessment, Tanzania
Oxygen: $6.8b to fix, but cost effective
The Commission found that $6.8billion is required each year to provide oxygen to all, and that oxygen is a highly cost effective investment compared to other health related interventions, at just $59 per healthy life-year saved.
In addition, the report revealed:
82% of those in need (306 million) are in Low and Middle Income Countries, where coverage of oxygen is only 30%
Only 54% of LMIC hospitals have pulse oximeters, the simple equipment that identifies a patient’s need for oxygen
The global need for oxygen is rising due to aging populations, lifestyle factors and air pollution
“By recognising the shocking lack of oxygen provision, and recommending time-bound actions, this Commission should mark a turning point that is crucial for saving people’s lives. Those of us working with EECC know that oxygen alone won’t solve all the needs of critically ill patients. Oxygen-requiring patients also need other fundamental life-saving treatments including intravenous fluids, airway positioning and monitoring. Oxygen is vital, and combining it with the other basic components in EECC could avert up to 1 million preventable deaths each year”
You can read the full Commission’s report here.
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