Access to medical oxygen remains one of the most critical determinants of survival in emergency and essential healthcare. Yet, across Africa, shortages in supply, inadequate infrastructure, and gaps in service delivery continue to place countless lives at risk. Against this backdrop, the Africa Health Business (AHB) Symposium Side Session on “Increasing Access to Medical Oxygen: Promising Technology and Service Innovations” convened leading voices from government, industry, and development partners to examine practical solutions that can drive lasting change.
The Wellbeing Foundation Africa was delighted to contribute to this important dialogue, which was framed within the overarching theme of “Leveraging Innovation to Advance Universal Health Coverage in Africa.” The discussions underscored the urgent need to harness technology and innovative service delivery models to integrate oxygen supply into national health systems. Ensuring equitable access is not only a matter of strengthening health security, but also of protecting the most vulnerable patients — from newborns in neonatal intensive care units to mothers in obstetric emergencies, and communities impacted by respiratory illnesses.
Central to the session was the recognition that innovation must go hand in hand with policy alignment, investment, and sustainable infrastructure. By engaging experts such as Amarpreet Rai of Sanria International, Aishat Adeniji of Healthport Nigeria, Nnamdi Agbim of Interkel Nigeria Limited, and Dr Zara Abba-Aji of the Presidential Initiative to Unlock the Healthcare Value Chain, the dialogue examined diverse approaches to overcoming barriers and scaling oxygen access. Their insights, skilfully moderated by Noha El Ghobashy of Oxygen Hub, reflected the shared belief that transformative health outcomes can only be achieved through cross-sector collaboration and the pooling of expertise.
For the Wellbeing Foundation Africa, participation in this forum reaffirms our commitment to strengthening healthcare systems that are not only resilient but responsive to the urgent needs of patients. Medical oxygen is a cornerstone of essential care and should not be a privilege available to some, but a right accessible to all. By supporting innovation and fostering strategic partnerships, we are determined to contribute to an Africa where no patient is left without the life-saving oxygen they need to survive and thrive.