Today, October 2, the world marks World Oxygen Day, highlighting the crucial role of oxygen in saving lives. In Kenya, oxygen is essential for patients in critical care, including mothers experiencing complications during childbirth, newborns struggling to breathe, and patients undergoing surgery or recovering from road crashes. Despite its importance, Kenya continues to face a significant need for medical oxygen, with upper respiratory tract infections and pneumonia being leading causes of illness.
A recent Kenyan study found that 24 per cent of adults admitted to medical wards were hypoxaemic upon arrival. For newborns, birth asphyxia, prematurity, and sepsis are major causes of death, and oxygen is critical in managing these conditions. The consequences of an unreliable oxygen supply can be devastating, with a study in rural Western Kenya finding that nearly a third of patients receiving oxygen experienced interruptions, resulting in 11 deaths.
Kenya has made progress in improving access to medical oxygen, particularly since the COVID-19 pandemic. Over 20,000 cylinders have been distributed to counties, and new pressure swing adsorption plants and liquid oxygen tanks have been installed with support from development partners. The Ministry of Health has also launched the Kenya Medical Oxygen Roadmap 2025–2030, aiming to ensure that all Kenyans have access to quality, sustainable, and affordable medical oxygen by 2030.
However, the gap between the roadmap and actual oxygen availability at patients' bedsides remains significant. Kenya's own estimates indicate that the country requires between 62 billion and 64 billion litres of medical oxygen annually, but current production meets only about 19 per cent of this need. Furthermore, medical oxygen is largely available in county referral hospitals and Level 4 facilities, while health centres and dispensaries, where many Kenyans seek treatment, often lack access.
The problem is not solely a lack of equipment, as some oxygen plants are not operating at full capacity. The Ministry of Health's Health Sector Report notes that 89 per cent of Kenya's 70 PSA oxygen plants are not operating at optimal capacity. In some cases, equipment remains unused due to lack of training or maintenance, while in others, facilities face challenges such as inadequate power supply or incompatible valves.
To address these challenges, the Ministry of Health estimates that the public sector requires 1,187 medical engineering technologists and 847 technicians, but only 169 and 167 are currently in post, respectively. Health workers also need adequate training to identify and manage oxygen-related conditions. Additionally, essential items such as flowmeters, gauges, and nasal prongs are often in short supply, hindering oxygen delivery to patients.
The financial burden of oxygen access also falls heavily on families, with daily oxygen charges ranging from Sh500 to Sh34,000. Taxes on oxygen cylinders and consumables account for about 75 per cent of the cost, making it difficult for many Kenyans to access this essential medicine. As communities demand greater accessibility, the question remains: where is the money for oxygen, and how can equitable healthcare be achieved?
Key points
- Kenya requires between 62 billion and 64 billion litres of medical oxygen annually but current production meets only about 19 per cent of this need.
- 89 per cent of Kenya's 70 PSA oxygen plants are not operating at optimal capacity.
- Taxes account for about 75 per cent of the cost of a medical gas cylinder, making oxygen access challenging for many Kenyans.
