The COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated the global demand for oxygen, making the delivery of oxygen supply more urgent than ever. In low- and middle-income countries alone, the demand for oxygen has increased to 1.1 million cylinders.
In the early stages of the pandemic, the first phase of WHO’s approach was to expand the supply of oxygen to the most vulnerable countries by purchasing and distributing oxygen concentrators and pulse oximeters.
As of February 2021, WHO and its partners have distributed more than 30,000 concentrators, 40,000 pulse oximeters and patient monitors, covering 121 countries, including those classified as “vulnerable” Of 37 countries.
WHO also provides technical advice and purchases oxygen sources on a large scale in some places. This includes pressure swing absorption devices, which will be able to meet the higher demand for oxygen in large medical institutions.
Specific obstacles to oxygen systems include cost, human resources, technical training, and continuous and reliable power supply.
In the past, some countries had to rely entirely on oxygen cylinders provided by private suppliers often abroad, thus limiting the continuity of supply. The WHO Emergency Preparedness Unit is working with the Ministry of Health of Somalia, South Sudan, Chad, Eswatini, Guinea-Bissau and other countries to design oxygen plans to adapt to local needs and create more sustainable and self-sufficient oxygen supply.
At the same time, the WHO Innovation/SDG3 Global Action Plan (GAP) program found a solution to create a more reliable power source through solar energy. A solar oxygen generator was recently installed at a regional children’s hospital in Garmud, Somalia. The innovation funder partnership between the International Development Innovation Alliance, the WHO Innovation Team and the SDG3 GAP Innovation Facilitator aims to link the supply of mature innovations with national demand.
The WHO Innovation/SDG3 GAP program has identified Nigeria, Pakistan, Haiti and South Sudan as potential countries to expand the scale of innovation.
In addition to providing services to COVID-19 patients, more efforts by WHO in providing oxygen support are already promoting the treatment of other diseases, thereby comprehensively strengthening the health system.
Oxygen is an essential medicine used to care for patients at all levels of the healthcare system, including surgery, trauma, heart failure, asthma, pneumonia, and maternal and child care.
Pneumonia alone causes 800,000 deaths every year. It is estimated that the use of oxygen therapy can prevent 20-40% of deaths.
The COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated the global demand for oxygen, making the delivery of oxygen supply more urgent than ever. In low- and middle-income countries alone, the demand for oxygen has increased to 1.1 million cylinders.
In the early stages of the pandemic, the first phase of WHO’s approach was to expand the supply of oxygen to the most vulnerable countries by purchasing and distributing oxygen concentrators and pulse oximeters.
As of February 2021, WHO and its partners have distributed more than 30,000 concentrators, 40,000 pulse oximeters and patient monitors, covering 121 countries, including those classified as “vulnerable” Of 37 countries.
WHO also provides technical advice and purchases oxygen sources on a large scale in some places. This includes pressure swing absorption devices, which will be able to meet the higher demand for oxygen in large medical institutions.
Specific obstacles to oxygen systems include cost, human resources, technical training, and continuous and reliable power supply.
In the past, some countries had to rely entirely on oxygen cylinders provided by private suppliers often abroad, thus limiting the continuity of supply. The WHO Emergency Preparedness Unit is working with the Ministry of Health of Somalia, South Sudan, Chad, Eswatini, Guinea-Bissau and other countries to design oxygen plans to adapt to local needs and create more sustainable and self-sufficient oxygen supply.
At the same time, the WHO Innovation/SDG3 Global Action Plan (GAP) program found a solution to create a more reliable power source through solar energy. A solar oxygen generator was recently installed at a regional children’s hospital in Garmud, Somalia. The innovation funder partnership between the International Development Innovation Alliance, the WHO Innovation Team and the SDG3 GAP Innovation Facilitator aims to link the supply of mature innovations with national demand.
The WHO Innovation/SDG3 GAP program has identified Nigeria, Pakistan, Haiti and South Sudan as potential countries to expand the scale of innovation.
In addition to providing services to COVID-19 patients, more efforts by WHO in providing oxygen support are already promoting the treatment of other diseases, thereby comprehensively strengthening the health system.
Post time: Mar-09-2021