Breathing is the most natural act of survival. Yet, for nearly two-thirds of the world’s population, access to medical oxygen which is a basic life-saving resource is still a distant dream. The numbers are staggering: 5 billion people lack reliable access to medical oxygen, leaving them vulnerable to treatable conditions, medical emergencies, and future health crises.

While high-income nations take oxygen supply for granted, hospitals in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) are forced to ration it, sometimes choosing who gets to live and who doesn’t. The situation is grim, and if no action is taken, it will only worsen in the face of future pandemics and global health challenges.

Medical oxygen isn’t just for critical care units it’s an essential component of healthcare. It plays a crucial role in treating conditions such as:

•    Respiratory diseases like pneumonia, asthma, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
•    Childbirth complications, ensuring both mothers and newborns survive life-threatening situations.
•    Surgical procedures, where oxygen is needed to sustain patients under anesthesia.
•    Emergency trauma care, especially for accident victims and those suffering from severe infections.
•    Pandemic response, as seen during COVID-19, where a lack of oxygen led to mass fatalities.

Despite its importance, access remains painfully limited in many countries. Hospitals, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa and parts of South Asia, face dire shortages, with up to 91% of patients in need left without access.

A recent Lancet report reveals an unsettling truth: 82% of people needing medical oxygen live in LMICs. The worst-hit regions include:

1.    South and East Asia
2.    The Pacific
3.    Sub-Saharan Africa

These areas account for nearly 70% of the global demand, yet oxygen remains scarce. Even where hospitals have oxygen cylinders, supply chain failures and infrastructure gaps prevent patients from receiving timely care.

In some countries, oxygen shortages aren’t just an inconvenience they’re a death sentence. Mothers in labour die because there’s no oxygen for emergency C-sections. Premature babies don’t survive because their underdeveloped lungs can’t get the support they need. Accident victims don’t make it because trauma centers run out of supply.

And the crisis doesn’t just affect individuals it undermines entire healthcare systems. Without oxygen, medical facilities become overwhelmed, leading to higher mortality rates and an increased burden on already fragile hospitals.

The COVID-19 pandemic exposed the brutal consequences of oxygen shortages. In India, hospitals ran out of supply, forcing families to scramble for oxygen cylinders on the black market. Thousands of lives were lost not because the disease was untreatable, but because basic infrastructure failed.

Other nations faced similar struggles. In Africa, the demand for oxygen surged by five times during the pandemic, yet production capacity remained stagnant. Ventilators were available, but without oxygen, they were useless.

The pandemic should have been a wake-up call, but years later, not enough has changed. The world remains ill-prepared for future crises, and unless access to oxygen is prioritized, history will repeat itself.

Solving the medical oxygen crisis isn’t impossible. Unlike expensive medical innovations, oxygen is relatively affordable to produce. Investing in its accessibility is one of the most cost-effective ways to improve global public health.

How Can This Be Achieved?

1.    Infrastructure Investment – Expanding oxygen production facilities and storage systems, ensuring hospitals have consistent supply.
2.    Supply Chain Strengthening – Building reliable transportation networks so oxygen reaches rural and remote areas.
3.    Healthcare System Improvements – Training medical staff in efficient oxygen usage and ensuring hospitals have functioning equipment.
4.    Government & Private Sector Collaboration – Encouraging funding and policy changes that prioritize medical oxygen as an essential commodity.
5.    International Support – High-income countries must step in to support LMICs in establishing sustainable oxygen supply mechanisms.

India’s healthcare system faced immense pressure during the COVID-19 crisis, but the country took rapid action to scale up oxygen production and distribution. New oxygen plants were built, supply chains were strengthened, and emergency infrastructure was developed.

While challenges remain, India’s response highlights an important lesson: With political will and targeted investment, life-saving medical oxygen can become widely accessible.

Other nations, such as Kenya and Ethiopia, have also made progress by introducing government-backed oxygen initiatives that prioritize access for vulnerable populations. However, these success stories need to be replicated on a global scale.

Ignoring the oxygen crisis means:
•    Higher maternal and infant mortality rates
•    Increased deaths from preventable respiratory diseases
•    Greater vulnerability to pandemics and global health emergencies
•    Overburdened healthcare systems that collapse under pressure

The Lancet report is more than just a research paper, it’s a warning. Without urgent action, billions will continue to suffer needlessly.

The world cannot afford to treat medical oxygen as an afterthought. It’s a fundamental human right, not a privilege reserved for wealthy nations. Governments, healthcare organizations, and global leaders must come together to ensure no one dies due to lack of oxygen.

If we fail to act now, we won’t just be failing 5 billion people today, we’ll be jeopardizing the future of global health for generations to come