New support will help scale regional manufacturing of medical oxygen in East Africa, support emergency response in fragile settings, and advance global efforts to close the medical oxygen access gap
The Government of Japan has committed US$ 6.7 million to Unitaid to expand access to life-saving medical oxygen in low- and middle-income countries, strengthening health systems and preparedness for future health emergencies.
Medical oxygen is an essential medicine with no substitute, yet five billion people still lack access to safe, affordable supply. Each year, low blood oxygen contributes to an estimated 9 million deaths, including 1.6 million children under five, underscoring the urgent need for sustained investment.
Japan’s contribution will support emergency response in fragile settings, including the provision of newborn and infant bubble continuous positive airway pressure (bCPAP) devices, alongside global technical coordination led by the World Health Organization’s Health Emergencies Programme. It will also strengthen Unitaid’s leadership of the Global Oxygen Alliance (GO2AL), advancing global coordination, country planning and investment to close persistent oxygen access gaps.
“Japan and Unitaid are leading global efforts to achieve universal health coverage by seeking to realize Human Security to safeguard the lives and dignity of every individual,” said Mr. OBA Yuichi, Ambassador for Global Health Diplomacy at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan and a Unitaid Executive Board member. “This investment reflects our continued commitment to ensuring that life-saving medical oxygen is accessible to those who need it most, while also strengthening preparedness for future health emergencies.”
In East Africa, the funding will also help expand and consolidate regional production of liquid medical oxygen in Kenya and Tanzania which serve as hub countries under the East Africa Programme on Oxygen Access (EAPOA). With this financial support, the regional initiative will be able to expand its oxygen distribution network in up to three additional neighboring countries, ensuring oxygen reaches health facilities where it is needed most.
“Medical oxygen saves lives every day, yet remains out of reach for millions,” said Dr Philippe Duneton, Executive Director of Unitaid. “With Japan’s support, we can strengthen emergency response, expand sustainable oxygen systems, and accelerate progress toward closing one of the most critical gaps in global health.”
Unitaid will implement the initiative in collaboration with partners including the World Health Organization, the Clinton Health Access Initiative (CHAI), PATH, and governments across participating countries.
Kyle Wilkinson
Communications officer
+41 79 445 17 45
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