In a stark revelation from a newly published report in The Lancet Global Health, it has emerged that more than 370 million people rely on medical oxygen for various health needs each year, but currently, fewer than one in three receives it. This shortage predominately affects low and middle-income countries, endangering the health and survival of millions.
The detailed report was released amidst ongoing concerns about future pandemics and highlights the dire situation faced during the Covid-19 pandemic when countless individuals in impoverished regions suffered and died due to insufficient oxygen supplies in hospitals. Dr. Hamish Graham, the report's lead author and a pediatrician, expressed the urgency of addressing this issue, stating, “We know that there’s more epidemics coming, and there’ll be another pandemic, probably like Covid, within the next 15 to 20 years.”
The report also coincides with recent cuts to foreign aid from the Trump administration, which have significant implications for the availability of crucial medical resources, including oxygen. To enhance global access to medical oxygen, experts suggest that an investment of around $6.8 billion is essential. However, researchers such as Carina King from the Karolinska Institute assert that securing funding in the current economic climate will be challenging.
Despite these hurdles, experts stress that increasing oxygen supply should be a priority due to its critical role in treating a range of medical conditions—from pneumonia to chronic lung diseases. The report serves as a clarion call to governments and funding organizations to recognize the life-saving potential of accessible medical oxygen, particularly as health challenges continue to evolve worldwide.
