Unitaid, with funding from the UK, announced a $22 million investment to establish Africa’s first liquid oxygen manufacturing program in Kenya and Tanzania. This initiative, centered on East and Southern Africa, will create production facilities to improve access to medical oxygen across the region. The program represents a regional approach to oxygen production in Africa, intending to increase output by 300% in East Africa and cut oxygen costs by up to 27%, ultimately making it more affordable for healthcare systems and benefiting thousands of patients monthly.
Harry Kimtai, Principal Secretary of the Kenyan Ministry of Health, emphasized the critical role of medical oxygen for healthcare access, saying, “Kenya’s drive towards universal health coverage requires uninterrupted access to all health products, including medical oxygen. We are delighted as the Ministry of Health to note that this new liquid oxygen manufacturing plant will boost availability all around the country.”
Revolutionizing Medical Oxygen Access in East and Southern Africa
Unitaid’s Executive Director, Dr. Philippe Duneton, noted the significance of this facility as part of a larger mission to transform medical oxygen accessibility across Africa, stating, “Medical oxygen is critical for saving lives, yet too many health facilities in this region struggle with access. By collaborating with Kenyan and Tanzanian manufacturers, we ensure oxygen becomes a basic right, not a luxury.” Eduarda Mendonca-Gray, UK Deputy Development Director, also highlighted the life-saving importance of medical oxygen, especially for maternal and newborn care, surgery, and emergency treatment.
Key Partners and Blueprint for Sustainable Expansion
The initiative partners with the Clinton Health Access Initiative (CHAI) to oversee market strategy, and PATH, which focuses on community and civil society engagement. Through collaborative efforts with three Kenyan and Tanzanian oxygen manufacturers, the program’s scalable model is intended to serve as a blueprint for expanding oxygen production and accessibility across Africa.
Long-Term Impact on Health Security and Pandemic Preparedness
With an expected impact of saving up to 154,000 lives over the next decade in Kenya and Tanzania, the initiative addresses life-threatening conditions, including pneumonia, preterm birth complications, and surgical emergencies. The program will also contribute to health security, making East and Southern Africa better equipped for future respiratory pandemics through increased local oxygen production.
This effort aligns with Unitaid’s broader strategy to boost local production of essential health products in Africa, supporting initiatives like Africa CDC’s Partnership for the Harmonization of African Health Products Manufacturing, aimed at strengthening regional health security.
