WHO - World Health Organization

Purpose

This project aims to support Unitaid in advancing equitable and affordable access to medical oxygen for COVID-19 treatments in low- and middle-income countries. The support comes through market interventions to increase the supply and adoption of oxygen innovations and investments in sustainable delivery models. As a result, the project increases the national oxygen systems’ capacity and enables national health systems to treat chronic respiratory conditions such as COVID-19. Project activities include: (1) identifying local and regional liquid and gas suppliers to increase the availability and affordability of medical oxygen for public procurers; (2) supporting sustainable market entry for new medical oxygen suppliers through blended finance approaches; (3) piloting local and regional supply approaches in sub-Saharan Africa; (4) identifying and piloting appropriate, high-impact oxygen innovations and technologies adapted for low-resource settings; and (5) generating and disseminating evidence, including operational guidance.