Abul Khair Group’s oxygen drive saved thousands during pandemic

When the COVID-19 pandemic struck in 2020, Bangladesh came to a standstill.

Hospitals were overwhelmed, patients gasped for air, and oxygen became the most precious commodity. Desperate families searched frantically for a single oxygen cylinder — a symbol of survival in a nation struggling to breathe. Each breath was a battle.

At that critical time, Abul Khair Group rose to the occasion. Placing humanity above business interests, the Group joined the national effort to save lives by producing and supplying medical oxygen—completely free of charge.

The initiative began in May 2020, when the Group delivered ten oxygen-filled cylinders to the Bangladesh Institute of Tropical and Infectious Diseases (BITID) in Fouzdarhat, Sitakunda, Chattogram. Soon, the Group began refilling hospitals' empty cylinders as well. What started as a small act of compassion soon evolved into a nationwide humanitarian effort.

Abul Khair Steel Mill in Sitakunda houses the largest oxygen plant in Bangladesh, with a daily production capacity of 260 metric tonnes. Normally, the plant produces ultra-pure oxygen for steel manufacturing, but during the pandemic, this was redirected to the healthcare sector—ensuring high-purity oxygen for patients.

By 2021, the country's daily demand for medical oxygen had reached about 200 metric tonnes. Bangladesh was then importing nearly 50 tonnes per day from India. However, when India halted exports in March 2021 to meet its own emergency needs, Bangladesh faced an acute shortage.

In response, Abul Khair Steel increased its medical oxygen output from seven tonnes to thirty tonnes per day, while also refilling about 500 cylinders daily. Within a short span, more than 18,000 cylinders were refilled and delivered across the country.

Meanwhile, Shah Cement, another concern of Abul Khair Group, used its own transport fleet to distribute oxygen to hospitals nationwide. Cement deliveries were suspended temporarily to prioritise the life-saving mission. Trucks that once carried cement were converted into oxygen carriers—transforming industrial vehicles into lifelines. Drivers, loaders, and factory workers risked their own safety to deliver oxygen to hospitals across fifteen districts, including Rajshahi, Natore, Narail, Chandpur, and Sylhet.

'During the pandemic, we realised that saving lives was far more important than industrial production,' said Imran Momin, Chief Executive Officer of Abul Khair Steel Plant. 'We halted production to ensure uninterrupted oxygen supply to hospitals. Our goal remains to make sure that no patient in Bangladesh dies due to lack of oxygen.'

Sheikh Shabab Ahmed, Head of Corporate Affairs and Legal at Abul Khair Group, said: 'For us, business growth and social responsibility are not separate. Driven by our sense of duty, we stood beside the people in their darkest hour. The example Abul Khair Group set during the pandemic—shifting from industry to humanity—continues even today.'

He added that the Group is now ensuring sustainable oxygen supply to healthcare facilities through commercial distribution—not for profit, but to strengthen Bangladesh's medical infrastructure.

'By supplying medical oxygen both during and after the pandemic, we aim to build a more resilient healthcare system,' he said. 'Our vision extends beyond crisis response—we are committed to long-term sustainable development through health and environment-friendly initiatives.'

On 2 October, World Oxygen Day, Abul Khair Group reaffirmed its pledge to uphold social responsibility, continuing its mission to protect lives, empower communities, and contribute to a sustainable, humane Bangladesh.