Pandemic-era medical oxygen infrastructure lies idle, experts warn

Medical oxygen investment in Bangladesh has failed to keep pace with rising demand, speakers warned at a policy dialogue, even as much of the COVID-19-era supply infrastructure now lies idle.

The dialogue, titled "From Evidence to Action: Strengthening Equitable Access to Medical Oxygen in Bangladesh", was held at the Independent University, Bangladesh (IUB) Multipurpose Hall on 18 August. CHIPS at IUB organised it and invited participants, with support from the university's School of Pharmacy and Public Health, according to a press release.

Speakers said medical oxygen plants and supply systems established during the pandemic had largely become dormant. They added that remote areas were bearing the brunt of the shortfall.

The discussion also highlighted the effects on patients in medicine, gynecology, and obstetrics departments, and the difficulties clinicians face in maintaining a steady oxygen supply. Speakers said the shortage was not merely an infrastructure problem but also a critical issue in everyday clinical care.

Participants called for oxygen therapy to be incorporated into MBBS and master's-level medical education and recommended equipping field workers with basic knowledge and tools to extend oxygen-related care.

For off-grid areas where conventional concentrators cannot operate, speakers suggested using solar-powered oxygen concentrators, already in use in Somalia, to expand access and reduce mortality.

Directorate General of Health Services Additional Director General (Planning and Development) Professor Dr Foara Tasmim attended the event as the chief guest.

Radiant Pharmaceuticals Limited Founder and Chairman Md Nasser Shahrear Zahedee was the guest of honour, while IUB Board of Trustees Chairman Didar A Husain was the special guest. IUB Vice-Chancellor Professor M Tamim presided over the discussion.

Professor Dr Foara Tasmim said the dialogue had given her a clear understanding of her role as a government official in ensuring equitable access to medical oxygen.

She also stressed the importance of translating research findings into policy interventions.

She said the government had previously focused on repairing dormant oxygen supply infrastructure and returning it to operation. However, training local personnel was more important, as they needed to identify patients who required oxygen most urgently.

She requested scientists and experts to guide the government in incorporating international and local good practices into the provision of affordable, quality oxygen therapy.

Md Nasser Shahrear Zahedee said medical oxygen was recognised as an essential medicine under the government's Essential Drug Policy and stressed the need to ensure both oxygen quality and the safety of supply infrastructure.

He said the government, private sector, philanthropic organisations and universities all had roles to play in improving oxygen access.

He also proposed possible collaboration between IUB and his organisation, the Zahedee Foundation, to conduct a situational study in Jhenaidah district on the scope for local oxygen production.

CHIPS Director Dr SM Moazzem Hossain said the dialogue would result in a policy brief for the relevant authorities. It would translate the day's discussions into concrete recommendations for strengthening equitable access to medical oxygen.

He added that IUB planned to organise an Oxygen Summit in October in collaboration with ICDDR, B and under the umbrella of the Oxygen Network.

The summit will seek to engage stakeholders from all relevant sectors and advance the medical oxygen agenda, he said.

icddr,b  Scientist Dr Ehsanur Rahman delivered the keynote presentation titled "Reducing Global Inequities in Medical Oxygen Access: The Lancet Global Health Commission on Medical Oxygen Security".

He highlighted the importance of identifying patients who need oxygen, ensuring oxygen reaches them through appropriate channels, and determining when to discontinue oxygen therapy.

A panel discussion followed the keynote presentation. The panellists were Professor Dr Md Abid Hossain Mollah, Head of the Department of Pediatrics/Neonatology at BIRDEM General Hospital and Ibrahim Medical College, Dhaka; ICDDR, B Maternal and Child Health Division Emeritus Scientist Dr Shams El Arifeen; physician and epidemiologist Dr Mamunur Rahman Malik; and Prothom Alo Special Correspondent Shishir Moral.

Participants came from the Bangladesh Medical Research Council, Dhaka Medical College, and professional bodies, including the Bangladesh Society of Medicine and the Obstetric and Gynecology Society of Bangladesh.

Development partners, including Unicef, UNOPS, and UNDP, also participated, along with faculty members and students from IUB's School of Pharmacy and Public Health.

IUB School of Pharmacy and Public Health Dean Dr Kamran Ul Baset delivered the vote of thanks.

IUB Trustees Rashed Chowdhury and Dr Husne Ara Ali were also present.

The Centre for Health, Implementation and Policy Sciences at IUB is a platform for evidence-informed public health advocacy, implementation research and capacity building.

It works across four areas: policy influence, capacity building, implementation research, and knowledge management. Its priority themes include maternal and child health, non-communicable diseases, adolescent and mental health, district-level medical oxygen supply, and urban and emergency health.