Global Health Crisis: 5 Billion People Lacking Access to Life-Saving Medical Oxygen

A new Lancet Commission report reveals that nearly two-thirds of the world's population lacks access to medical oxygen, with the highest inequities in low- and middle-income countries. The study estimates that 82% of patients requiring medical oxygen live in these nations, concentrated in South and East Asia, the Pacific, and sub-Saharan Africa. Less than one in three people needing oxygen for medical or surgical conditions receive it due to gaps in service contact, readiness, provision, and quality. The report emphasizes the critical role of medical oxygen in healthcare systems and pandemic preparedness, calling for urgent action to bridge this life-threatening gap.

 

Source: The Lancet Global Health Commission on Medical Oxygen Security