Kenya, through the Ministry of Health in partnership with the AMREF Health Africa, and the Global Fund has rolled out a major expansion of medical oxygen infrastructure to strengthen emergency, maternal, surgical and critical care services across the country.
Speaking during the official launch of the Oxygen Infrastructure Project in Nairobi, Health Cabinet Secretary (CS) Aden Duale noted that the initiative marks a key milestone in improving healthcare delivery and realising the constitutional right of every Kenyan to the highest attainable standard of health.
“This may appear like a small event, but it is a very important one. We are strengthening a life-saving element of care in our hospitals; the provision of reliable medical oxygen,” said Duale. “It is a constitutional imperative that Kenyans must get the highest attainable standard of health, and oxygen bridges promise and practice,” he added.
The CS announced that the government, working with partners, has invested more than Sh9 billion (US$60 million) to improve oxygen production, storage and distribution across all 47 counties.
Further, he revealed that Kenya has also secured an additional US$36 million from the Global Fund for medical oxygen and respiratory care.
Notably, through this collaboration, the Ministry of Health has installed 14 bulk oxygen tanks, delivered over 1.2 million kilograms of liquid oxygen, and distributed more than 20,000 oxygen cylinders to public and faith-based hospitals.
Additionally, 303 health facilities are being equipped with oxygen piping and manifold systems, while new oxygen generation plants are being set up in counties such as Lamu, Marsabit, Turkana and West Pokot.
“These investments are transforming healthcare delivery, particularly in remote and hard-to-reach areas,” stated Duale, citing Lamu County’s King Fahad Hospital, which now has an ICU, theatre and private wing where patients who previously had to travel to Malindi or Mombasa for oxygen therapy could now access services locally.
In addition, Duale underscored the importance of sustainability, urging counties to allocate funds for preventive maintenance, calibration and spare parts.
“Equipment saves lives only when it is functional. Every day and on every shift, we must maintain and calibrate them,” he emphasised.
As part of the latest consignment, the CS disclosed that the Ministry is dispatching 420 multi-parameter patient monitors, 10,000 flow meters and 612 oxygen analyzers to all counties.
Each county will receive at least ten monitors and two analyzers, while allocation of flow meters will depend on facility readiness and completed piping works, he said.
Duale equally lauded AMREF Health Africa and the Global Fund for their continued support, terming the partnership as an example of government-led collaboration that adds value to the country’s health delivery system.
In his remarks, AMREF Health Africa’s representative Dr. George Githuka said the organisation is proud to be at the centre of Kenya’s largest ever oxygen infrastructure expansion.
“Through support from the Global Fund, we have distributed over 20,000 medical oxygen cylinders, equipped 14 health facilities with three-ton liquid oxygen tanks, and undertaken major piping works in over 300 facilities. We are also working with counties to install oxygen generation plants in remote areas, which will enable refilling of cylinders and generate income to sustain operations,” he reported.
Dr. Githuka added that AMREF has helped build local capacity for installation, maintenance and repair of oxygen systems to ensure long-term sustainability.
Making her remarks, the Principal Secretary (PS) for Public Health and Professional Standards Mary Muthoni stressed the need to train health workers on safe and efficient use of oxygen and related equipment.
“Oxygen must be delivered in the right doses, especially for children. The training component will ensure clinicians, nurses and biomedical engineers can properly use, service and calibrate the equipment,” she asserted.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Health has also developed a plan for preventive maintenance and annual calibration of all oxygen plants and equipment to guarantee quality and performance.
Duale reaffirmed Kenya’s commitment to the Universal Health Coverage (UHC) agenda, insisting that oxygen availability is essential in achieving it.
“We must move from oxygen availability to assured access in every ward, every theatre, every nursery and every ICU. If we protect these assets and sustain our partnerships, we will save lives one patient, one facility, and one country at a time,” affirmed the CS.
Likewise, he also acknowledged the role of global partners such as WHO, GAVI and the U.S. Government, noting that their collaboration has accelerated Kenya’s progress in improving healthcare access.
“Partners must add value to our health system. The Global Fund and AMREF have done exactly that,” he remarked.
In the meantime, the CS directed the Directorate of Health Products and Technologies to coordinate equipment distribution, oversee comprehensive training, and monitor performance and transparency in the use of the new supplies.
The flagging off event brought together senior Ministry of Health officials, representatives of the Council of Governors, development partners, and health sector stakeholders, all reaffirming their commitment to equitable access to life saving oxygen across the country.
By Lucy Mwende and Mary Ndanu
