The Ministry of Health has flagged off over 10,000 oxygen equipment units under the Global Fund C19RM oxygen infrastructure project to expand oxygen access in health facilities across the country.
The equipment, which was flagged off by Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale on Tuesday, October 4, includes 470 multiparameter patient monitors, 10,000 wall outlet flowmeters, and 612 oxygen analysers.
According to the health boss, the instruments, which will supplement the 20,620 oxygen cylinders previously supplied nationwide, will be particularly vital in providing care for newborns and individuals with respiratory illnesses across the country.
“This milestone represents significant progress in strengthening our health systems and ensuring that every Kenyan, from newborns to patients in critical care, has access to safe and reliable oxygen therapy,” Duale said.
“This equipment will enhance early oxygen therapy for newborns and support patients experiencing respiratory distress or living with asthma, COPD, pneumonia, and other respiratory illnesses,” he added.
According to Duale, the ministry has already kick-started capacity building for healthcare workers to ensure that they are equipped with the expertise needed to maintain the equipment.
Under the oxygen project, which is also supported by AMREF, the Ministry of Health has managed to install over 14 bulk oxygen tanks and delivered 1.2 million KG of liquid oxygen to health facilities across the country, according to the CS.
According to Duale, the installation of the equipment in the hospitals, especially in underserved regions such as West Pokot and Turkana, has seen the development of ICUs.
Before then, patients suffering from serious illnesses in these regions were forced to travel to other regions to access such facilities.
“We will calibrate all equipment every six months, continue building capacity for health workers, and ensure that our biomedical engineers, pharmacists, and clinicians have the skills needed to manage and maintain this critical equipment,” Duale stated.
“We are united in purpose to move from oxygen availability to assured access in every ward, theatre, nursery, and ICU, all the way to the last mile,” he added.
Duale affirmed that the milestone will be fundamental in guaranteeing equitable access for all and propel the country towards the ultimate goal of Universal Health Coverage (UHC).
