Africa-Press – Kenya. The Ministry of Health has flagged off a consignment of oxygen accessories under the Global Fund COVID-19 Response Mechanism – Oxygen Infrastructure Project.
This marks a significant stride in strengthening the country’s health systems and expanding oxygen access to the last mile.
The consignment is fully funded by the Global Fund and includes 470 multiparameter patient monitors, 10,000 wall outlet flowmeters and 612 oxygen analysers, which will be distributed to health facilities across all 47 counties.
The new supplies complement the 20,620 oxygen cylinders previously distributed nationwide.
Speaking during the flag-off on Tuesday, Cabinet Secretary for Health Aden Duale said the initiative underscores Kenya’s commitment to building a resilient oxygen ecosystem and advancing the country’s journey towards Universal Health Coverage (UHC).
“This milestone represents significant progress in strengthening our health systems and ensuring that every Kenyan from newborns to patients in critical care has access to safe and reliable oxygen therapy,” the CS said.
He noted that oxygen accessories are essential for safe, effective, and patient-tailored oxygen delivery, helping healthcare providers administer the right flow rate for each patient while minimising complications.
“This equipment will enhance early oxygen therapy for newborns and support patients experiencing respiratory distress or living with asthma, COPD, pneumonia, and other respiratory illnesses,” he added.
The CS further emphasised the Ministry’s commitment to sustainability, stating: “We will calibrate all equipment every six months, continue building capacity for health workers, and ensure that our biomedical engineers, pharmacists and clinicians have the skills needed to manage and maintain this critical equipment.”
He urged county governments and health facilities to ring-fence funds for preventive maintenance, calibration and spare parts to guarantee continued functionality and reliability.
Duale commended The Global Fund for its financing and Amref Health Africa for procurement support, reaffirming that strong partnerships anchored in government leadership are key to delivering tangible UHC results.
“We are united in purpose to move from oxygen availability to assured access, in every ward, theatre, nursery and ICU, all the way to the last mile,” he affirmed.
The Cabinet Secretary was accompanied by Principal Secretary for Medical Services Dr Ouma Oluga, Principal Secretary for Public Health Mary Muthoni, Director-General for Health Dr Patrick Amoth, representatives from Amref Health Africa, and Head of the Health Products and Technologies Directorate Tom Menge, among other senior officials.
The equipment will save lives that have been at stake.
According to United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), an estimated 60 percent of the world’s population lacks access to safe and affordable medical oxygen.
In low- and middle-income countries, nine out of ten hospitals lacked the equipment to provide oxygen therapy, resulting in 800,000 preventable deaths per year even before the COVID-19 pandemic.
Beyond the pandemic, medical oxygen remains vital for everyday healthcare, from powering intensive care units and surgical theatres to saving mothers and children.
The Global Fund investment initiative is part of broader efforts to strengthen the ability of national health systems to reliably deliver life-saving care.
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