Kenya can now dream big with new medical oxygen initiative

Siaya County Referral Hospital oxygen processing plant. [Collins Oduor, Standard] Last week, Kenya garnered a historic milestone in the journey toward Universal Health Coverage. President William Ruto inaugurated a mega initiative by Amref Health Africa, the largest health development non-governmental organisation in Africa. The initiative, financed through the support of the Global Fund for HIV, TB, and Malaria, provided Sh20,971,500,000 (USD$ 155 million) as an emergency investment towards the Covid-19 Response Mechanism (C19RM) to Kenya, out of which Sh5,547,300,000 (USD$ 41 million) went into strengthening the supply system for medical oxygen. Under the C-19RM project, Amref Health Africa, in collaboration with the Ministry of Health, procured 20,620 medical oxygen cylinders worth nearly Sh1 billion to strengthen the Oxygen ecosystem across the 47 counties. The investment includes the provision of 22 Oxygen Production Plants, 14 oxygen bulk tanks for higher-level facilities, piping, and bedside installations for 320 health facilities, all aimed at last-mile access to medical oxygen - a lifesaving commodity. This initiative is a timely example of what it means to build a resilient and sustainable health system. The initiative will benefit Kenyans who could not previously receive oxygen at their local primary care facilities due to a shortage of oxygen cylinders or lack of oxygen, as witnessed during the Covid-19 pandemic. During the pandemic, the cylinders were either in short supply or required exorbitant leasing or hiring fees from oxygen manufacturers before refilling and supply. Initial barriers The new initiative eliminates the barrier of cylinder deposits, which the facilities had to incur to access oxygen. The initiative will also maximize the use of oxygen through innovative ways of dispensing. For instance, attaching multiple cylinders to supply a hospital through a piping system saves oxygen and allows for more patients to be treated on a smaller budget. This investment promises a better future for people needing oxygen therapy, from children with pneumonia to adults with severe tuberculosis and other respiratory conditions like acute asthma attacks. In the President's words, "the ambitious plan is based on a robust primary healthcare system built from the bottom up, starting with the strengthening of the lowest level of health services in communities and primary care facilities which are in line with my government's manifesto." "The Global Fund came to Kenya's aid and supported us in coping with the overwhelming systemic burden of the pandemic with significant financial support. More significantly, the Global Fund stands with us even now in the pandemic recovery phase as we take robust measures to remedy the systemic weaknesses exposed by the Covid-19 pandemic. Today, we are here to witness the crowning moment of a highly successful partnership that has seen us through the hardest of times and strengthened us for the future." Morrison believes the investments "will save many lives across Kenya by treating people afflicted by diverse health challenges and play an important role in preparing for future pandemics." "This is truly 'hewa mashinani' (Oxygen for the grassroots in Swahili) targeting primary healthcare sites as part of last-mile delivery, ensuring oxygen reaches those in need, where they need it, and at their time of need in our country's most remote and under-served areas. This marks a major milestone for many Kenyans who could not receive oxygen at their local primary care facility." This initiative is expected to eliminate the barrier of the costs of cylinder deposits that our facilities have had to incur to access oxygen, according to Amref Health Africa Group CEO Githinji Gitahi. As part of its broader efforts to achieve primary healthcare and universal health coverage in Kenya, Amref Health Africa is committed to working with the government in reducing the burden of infectious diseases, including emerging ones like Covid-19, preventing and controlling non-communicable diseases, training and retaining the healthcare workforce, integrating community health promoters into the formal healthcare system, and embracing digital health and innovation. Non-communicable diseases are increasingly becoming a significant burden on the healthcare system, and together with the impact of climate change, they remain the biggest threats to the health of Kenyans. Amref Health Africa is looking forward to engaging on climate change and health at the Africa Climate Action Summit, which the President is hosting in September. Health has now been included on the COP28 formal agenda in November. An effective oxygen ecosystem involves the provision of a consistent and uninterrupted supply of medical oxygen to healthcare facilities through production, storage, and delivery to the bedside. Strengthening the oxygen ecosystem is a crucial part of Amref Health Africa's broader efforts to support the government in strengthening primary healthcare and achieving universal health coverage in Kenya. The organisation's commitment to supporting the government and People of Kenya in building a community-led, people-centred primary health system that is resilient enough to respond to everyday needs and emerging public health threats remains unwavering.

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