In brief
According to recent findings, over 370 million people globally require medical oxygen each year, yet only a third actually receive it, particularly in low-income countries. Experts emphasize urgent action is needed to address this critical healthcare gap.
More than 370 million people worldwide need oxygen as part of their medical care each year, but fewer than 1 in 3 receive it, according to a new report on the shortage. At the height of the Covid-19 pandemic, millions of people in poorer nations died literally gasping for breath due to insufficient medical oxygen, a supply already lacking in many parts of the world.A recent panel of experts published a comprehensive report stating the urgent need for medical oxygen specifically highlights that access to affordable medical oxygen is extremely limited in low- and middle-income nations. Dr. Hamish Graham, a lead author of the report, stressed the urgency, saying, “We know that there’s more epidemics coming, and there’ll be another pandemic, probably like Covid, within the next 15 to 20 years.” Boosting the availability of this life-saving resource would require significant investment—around $6.8 billion. Despite the economic challenges, infectious disease epidemiologist Carina King urged governments and funding organizations to prioritize medical oxygen access, given its vital role in treating various health conditions, including pneumonia, severe infections, and for performing surgeries.
