An alarming report reveals that less than one in three people who require medical oxygen globally receive it, leading to life-threatening situations, especially during pandemics. Experts urge governments to prioritize oxygen supply with an investment of $6.8 billion.**
The Global Oxygen Crisis: 370 Million Lack Access to Life-Saving Medical Oxygen**
The Global Oxygen Crisis: 370 Million Lack Access to Life-Saving Medical Oxygen**
A recent report highlights the dire shortage of medical oxygen, particularly in low-income nations, and calls for urgent investment to address this critical need.**
In a striking new report, health experts have revealed an urgent global shortfall in medical oxygen, which is crucial for a range of medical treatments. Enumerating the gravity of the situation, the report notes that more than 370 million individuals worldwide require oxygen annually, yet fewer than 1 in 3 actually receive it. This deficiency poses a considerable risk to health, particularly in low- and middle-income countries where access is markedly limited.
Dr. Hamish Graham, a pediatrician and one of the report's lead authors, emphasizes the pressing nature of this issue, especially in the context of future epidemics and the likelihood of another pandemic resembling Covid-19 within the next two decades. The publication, featured in The Lancet Global Health, has emerged following a recent freeze by the Trump administration on foreign aid that could have improved oxygen access.
To directly address this medical crisis, the report highlights the necessity for an investment of approximately $6.8 billion to boost oxygen availability. Carina King, an infectious disease epidemiologist and fellow lead author of the report, acknowledged the challenges presented by the current climate for funding, while advocating for the prioritization of medical oxygen, given its critical role in health care.
Access to medical oxygen is crucial for patients suffering from pneumonia, chronic lung diseases, severe infections, and those undergoing surgical procedures. The scarcity has been starkly underscored by the catastrophic toll of the Covid-19 pandemic, which saw many patients in low-income regions perish due to lack of this essential resource. This report serves as a clarion call for increased governmental and organizational support in ensuring that every patient in need has access to life-saving oxygen.
Dr. Hamish Graham, a pediatrician and one of the report's lead authors, emphasizes the pressing nature of this issue, especially in the context of future epidemics and the likelihood of another pandemic resembling Covid-19 within the next two decades. The publication, featured in The Lancet Global Health, has emerged following a recent freeze by the Trump administration on foreign aid that could have improved oxygen access.
To directly address this medical crisis, the report highlights the necessity for an investment of approximately $6.8 billion to boost oxygen availability. Carina King, an infectious disease epidemiologist and fellow lead author of the report, acknowledged the challenges presented by the current climate for funding, while advocating for the prioritization of medical oxygen, given its critical role in health care.
Access to medical oxygen is crucial for patients suffering from pneumonia, chronic lung diseases, severe infections, and those undergoing surgical procedures. The scarcity has been starkly underscored by the catastrophic toll of the Covid-19 pandemic, which saw many patients in low-income regions perish due to lack of this essential resource. This report serves as a clarion call for increased governmental and organizational support in ensuring that every patient in need has access to life-saving oxygen.
