A medical oxygen access gap SE Asia must bridge, Pg6

• Over half a billion people globally lack access to safe and affordable medical oxygen.
• South Asia and East Asia & Pacific have lowest oxygen service coverage (78% and 74% respectively).
• COVID-19 pandemic exposed oxygen delivery vulnerabilities in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs).
• WHO's Access to Medical Oxygen Resolution and Lancet Commission roadmap offer long-term strategies.
• Barriers: lack of funding, trained biomedical personnel, poor infrastructure, and logistics issues.
• Ethiopia and Nigeria show success using solar-powered oxygen delivery systems.
• Cross-border collaboration (e.g. WHO-Bhutan PSA model) holds promise for scalable solutions.

Detailed Insights:

• Systemic Deficiencies:
  • Oxygen access is hindered by fragmented supply chains, lack of trained technicians, and ineffective logistics.
  • Many LMICs have aged hospital infrastructure, limited diagnostics, and weak maintenance systems.
• Financial and Policy Gaps:
  • LMICs often find it difficult to allocate substantial funds for oxygen infrastructure.
  • Short-term COVID responses haven’t translated into long-term structural investments.
  • Urgent need for sustainable financing, innovation, and government accountability.
• Need for Integrated Strategy:
  • Long-term improvements need public-private collaboration, transparent data, and local manufacturing capacity.
  • WHO recommends that national plans must integrate support from WHO, and address region-specific needs.
  • Innovations like PSA (Pressure Swing Adsorption) plants, predictive analytics, and low-cost tech must be prioritized.
• Successful Models:
  • Solar-powered oxygen hubs (e.g., Nigeria, Ethiopia) reduce dependence on electricity.
  • Bhutan’s cross-border training via WHO shows effective regional cooperation.
  • Tailored local models can help overcome logistical and geographic barriers in remote communities.

Scientific/Technical Concepts Involved:

• Medical Oxygen: High-purity oxygen used for clinical treatment in hospitals and emergency care.
• PSA Plants: Pressure Swing Adsorption plants separate oxygen from ambient air to produce medical-grade oxygen.
• Supply Chain Resilience: The capacity of the logistics network to absorb shocks and maintain supply, especially in health crises.

Significance:

• Building resilient oxygen infrastructure is critical for public health preparedness in Southeast Asia.
• Fosters regional cooperation, data sharing, and skill-building across LMICs.
• Reduces dependency on emergency foreign aid and ensures equitable healthcare delivery.
• Supports UN SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being) by ensuring access to essential medicines.

Mains Mock Question:

Q. Medical oxygen was termed a “lifeline” during the COVID-19 pandemic. Critically examine the challenges in ensuring equitable access to medical oxygen in LMICs, and suggest a roadmap to bridge this gap in South and Southeast Asia.