CS Duale noted that oxygen accessories are essential for safe, effective, and patient-centred oxygen delivery, enabling healthcare providers to administer the correct flow rate for each patient while minimising complications
By The Weekly Vision Reporter
The Ministry of Health has flagged off a new consignment of oxygen accessories under the Global Fund COVID-19 Response Mechanism – Oxygen Infrastructure Project, marking another milestone in Kenya’s ongoing efforts to strengthen health systems and expand access to medical oxygen nationwide.
Fully funded by the Global Fund, the latest consignment comprises 470 multiparameter patient monitors, 10,000 wall outlet flowmeters, and 612 oxygen analysers, which will be distributed to health facilities across all 47 counties. The new supplies complement the 20,620 oxygen cylinders previously distributed nationwide.
Speaking during the flag-off ceremony, Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale said the initiative demonstrates the government’s commitment to building a resilient oxygen ecosystem and advancing the country’s journey towards Universal Health Coverage (UHC). “This milestone represents significant progress in strengthening our health systems and ensuring that every Kenyan, from newborns to patients in critical care, has access to safe and reliable oxygen therapy,” said Duale.
The CS noted that oxygen accessories are essential for safe, effective, and patient-centred oxygen delivery, enabling healthcare providers to administer the correct flow rate for each patient while minimising complications. “This equipment will enhance early oxygen therapy for newborns and support patients experiencing respiratory distress or living with asthma, COPD, pneumonia, and other respiratory conditions,” he added.
Mr Duale further emphasised the Ministry’s commitment to sustainability, saying: “We will calibrate all equipment every six months, continue building capacity for health workers, and ensure that our biomedical engineers, pharmacists, and clinicians possess the skills necessary to manage and maintain this critical equipment.”
He urged county governments and health facilities to ring-fence funds for preventive maintenance, calibration, and spare parts to guarantee continued functionality and reliability.
The Health CS commended The Global Fund for its financing and Amref Health Africa for procurement support, reaffirming that strong partnerships anchored in government leadership are vital to delivering tangible UHC outcomes. “We are united in purpose to move from oxygen availability to assured access, in every ward, theatre, nursery, and ICU, reaching every Kenyan, right to the last mile,” he affirmed.
Mr Duale was accompanied by Principal Secretaries Dr Ouma Oluga (Medical Services) and Mary Muthoni (Public Health and Professional Standards), Director-General for Health Dr Patrick Amoth, representatives from Amref Health Africa, and Tom Menge, Head of the Health Products and Technologies Directorate, among others.
