The government has flagged off over 10,000 oxygen equipment units to strengthen newborn and respiratory care in public health facilities across Kenya.
The medical consignment, launched under the Global Fund C19RM Oxygen Infrastructure Project, was flagged off in Nairobi on Tuesday by Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale, alongside top ministry officials.
The batch includes 470 multiparameter patient monitors, 10,000 wall outlet flowmeters, and 612 oxygen analysers, aimed at improving oxygen access and saving lives in hospitals nationwide.
“This milestone represents a major step 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.
He noted that the ministry has already trained healthcare workers and biomedical engineers to handle, maintain, and calibrate the new devices every six months.
Through the initiative, the government, with support from AMREF and the Global Fund, has installed over 14 bulk oxygen tanks and delivered 1.2 million kilograms of liquid oxygen to health facilities countrywide.
The Health CS highlighted that the oxygen expansion project has enabled the creation of new Intensive Care Units (ICUs) in underserved counties such as West Pokot and Turkana, where critically ill patients previously had to travel long distances for specialized treatment.
“We are moving from oxygen availability to assured access in every ward, theatre, nursery, and ICU all the way to the last mile,” Duale emphasized.
He said the initiative is part of the government’s broader commitment to achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC) by ensuring equitable access to essential medical resources for all Kenyans.
