Experts Warn Nigeria’s Medical Oxygen Gaps Are Causing Preventable Deaths
Health stakeholders have called for urgent reforms to Nigeria’s medical oxygen system, warning that weak supply chains, poor infrastructure and gaps in clinical administration are contributing to preventable hospital deaths. At a medical oxygen workshop in Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, Professor Jesse Uneke of the EQUI-RESP Africa Research Project said more than 600,000 deaths annually are linked to challenges with oxygen availability and delivery. He said timely access to quality oxygen, reliable equipment and trained health workers could save many lives. Participants said Nigeria must strengthen the full oxygen value chain, from local production and distribution to storage, maintenance and safe administration. They recommended sustainable financing, improved infrastructure, capacity building for health workers and policies that support reliable local supply. The stakeholders urged government, hospitals, researchers, development partners and private operators to turn the recommendations into practical action so patients do not die because lifesaving oxygen is unavailable or improperly administered.
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