PATH Courts CSOs in Advocacy for Medical Oxygen

The training, which ran from 25th to 27th June 2024 in Kabwe, also sought to equip CSOs with knowledge in advocating for increased resource allocation from domestic resources, creation of an enabling policy environment and ensuring transparency and accountability for all resources invested in medical oxygen.

At present, the nation only has about ten Pressure Swing Adsorption (PSAs) out of which only seven are functional. Five PSAs are in Lusaka, while there is one each in Mansa and Mongu and three in Chipata.

Medical Oxygen has always been important to save patient lives as evidenced during the COVID-19 pandemic where some lives were lost on account of inadequate production and supply of medical oxygen. Beyond the pandemic, there is an urgent need to boost the Medical Oxygen to ensure it is available and accessible at all levels of care in all health facilities. This will save a lot of lives including reducing maternal and neonatal deaths on account of insufficient Medical Oxygen.

NGOCC was part of the training. The other institutions involved were Pharmaceutical Association of Zambia (PAZ), Kids Alive Organization, Zambia College of Physicians, Zambia Union of Nurses Organization(ZUNO) Society of Anaesthetists of Zambia (SAZ), Biomedical Engineering Association of Zambia (BEAZ), Zambia Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ZACCI) and Zambia Operating Theatre Nursing Interest Group (ZOTNIC)