Govt plans medical oxygen management system in 20 districts
The government is undertaking a project to establish an integrated medical oxygen management system in at least 20 districts this fiscal year, with plans to expand it nationwide gradually next fiscal year, State Minister for Health and Family Welfare Dr MA Muhit said.
He made the announcement today (4 October) at a policy dialogue during the Bangladesh Oxygen Summit 2026 at Independent University, Bangladesh (IUB), according to the press release.
The Bangladesh Oxygen Network organised the two-day summit on 3–4 October in collaboration with IUB's Centre for Health, Implementation and Policy Sciences (CHIPS). Held on the university's campus under the theme "Journey to Achieve Equitable Access to Medical Oxygen", the summit featured scientific sessions and a high-level policy dialogue.
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Muhit attended the dialogue at the IUB Multipurpose Hall as the chief guest, while IUB Vice-Chancellor Professor M Tamim chaired the session.
Thanking the university and the organisers, Muhit said the government had recognised oxygen therapy as an essential health service for the first time.
He said work was underway on an oxygen roadmap for 2026–2030. The information, data, research and declaration presented at the summit would contribute significantly to its development, he added.
The policy dialogue was attended by Radiant Pharmaceuticals Chairman Md Nasser Shahrear Zahedee; Bangladesh Medical Research Council President Professor Dr Sayeba Akhter; SOSB Secretary General Professor M Monir Hossain Khan; and APB President Professor Dr Shohael Mahmud Arafat.
Institute of Epidemiology, Disease Control and Research Director Dr Kazi Ahmed Zaki and Directorate General of Health Services Director of Planning and Research Dr Shahnewaz Dewan also attended.
Other participants included ICDDRB Senior Scientist Dr Shams El Arifeen; Bangladesh Lung Foundation Joint Secretary Dr Kazi Saifuddin Bennoor; Dr SK Md Mamunur Rahman Malik, former World Health Organisation representative to Somalia; public health expert Dr SM Asib Nasim; and Harinakunda Upazila Health and Family Planning Officer Dr Md Alamgir Hossain.
At the opening session yesterday (3 October), CHIPS Director Dr SM Moazzem Hossain delivered the welcome remarks, while Bangladesh Oxygen Network Convener Dr Ahmed Ehsanur Rahman outlined the summit's focus.
UNICEF Bangladesh Chief of Health Dr Malalay Ahmadzai also spoke, and Tamim formally inaugurated the summit.
The first scientific session, titled "Medical Oxygen Need, Production Capacity and Supply", was chaired by the Director General of the Directorate General of Drug Administration, Md Alamgir Hossain.
Professor Dr Abid Hossain Molla of Birdem co-chaired the session, while Moazzem moderated the discussion.
The session featured Ahmed Ehsanur Rahman, Dr Md Akhtar Hossain, Dr Md Ali Saifullah Sajib, Farid Sikder, Redwan Al Hamid, Shorab Uddin Ahmed, Maruf Hasan, Dr Than Cho, Dr Hasnain Ahmed, Engineer MN Nashid Rahman and Dr Suraiya Jemy.
The second scientific session focused on "Medical Oxygen Education, Research, Measurement and Innovation". Director General of Medical Education Professor Dr Nazmul Hosain chaired the session, with Shams El Arifeen as co-chair and ICDDRB Scientist Ahmed Ehsanur Rahman as moderator.
Speakers included Abid Hossain Molla; Dr Kamran ul Baset, Dean, IUB School of Pharmacy and Public Health; Dr Sabina Ashrafee Lipi; Dr Abu Ahammad Al Mamun; Md Hasib Mamun; Mostafa Ashrafuzzaman; Dr Sabit Saad Shafique; Dr Sabbir Ahmed; Dr Kazi Sefayet Enam; and Dr Manal Mizanur Rahman.
Moazzem delivered the closing remarks on the first day.
A special session titled "Meet the Oxygen Champions" was also held at the Multipurpose Hall that day. Chaired by Sayeba, it featured Shams El Arifeen, Mohammod Jobayer Chisti and Mamunur Rahman Malik.
Over the two days, government officials, public health experts, researchers, development partners, healthcare professionals, academics, and private-sector representatives discussed medical oxygen availability, quality, safety, production, and supply.
Participants also explored coordinated measures to strengthen Bangladesh's medical oxygen system and ensure safe, reliable, and equitable access nationwide.
