Govt to undertake integrated medical oxygen project in 20 districts: Muhit

State Minister for Health and Family Welfare Dr MA Muhit on Sunday said the government is taking an initiative to implement integrated medical oxygen projects in at least 20 districts during the current fiscal year to enhance the capacity of the country's health system.

"Following the experience of the COVID-19 pandemic and the World Health Organization's resolution of 2023, medical oxygen has been established not merely as an immediate need but as an essential component of health security," he said.

The state minister added, "We want to move up the management of oxygen used in the healthcare sector in Bangladesh to such a standard that we can also demonstrate our success on the global scorecard."

Muhit made the remarks while addressing as the chief guest the closing ceremony and high-level policy dialogue of the two-day “Bangladesh Oxygen Summit” at Independent University, Bangladesh (IUB) in the capital, said a press release.

IUB's Centre for Health, Implementation and Policy Sciences (CHIPS) and the Bangladesh Oxygen Network jointly organised the summit.

The state minister said in accordance with the Lancet Commission's recommendations, the government is also giving special emphasis on achieving the “Oxygen Access Scorecard” to assess the overall progress of the country's medical oxygen system.

Referring to previous crises and mismanagement, he said, "There was a major lack of coordination in oxygen management in previous years. There was duplication in some places, while in others, equipment remained unused despite being available."

The state minister said the incumbent government has taken effective initiatives to resolve the deadlock after assuming office.

 "A high-level committee has already been formed at the ministry and work on preparing the Development Project Proposal (DPP) is underway, through which an integrated oxygen network will be established in at least 20 districts as soon as possible during the current fiscal year," Muhit added.

He further said it is essential to formulate an effective “National Oxygen Roadmap” for 2026-2030 and encourage domestic innovation in the health sector.

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The state minister urged the Bangladesh Medical and Dental Council (BMDC) and the Nursing Council to play a role in incorporating practical and systematic training on the use of oxygen therapy into medical curriculum.

Emphasising the need to ensure uninterrupted oxygen supplies for the treatment of marginalised communities, women and children with disabilities, he said there is no specific policy or definition of emergency ambulance services in the country.

"The practice of operating any vehicle as an ambulance simply by putting a light on it must be stopped," Muhit said.

He said the government has started working on a legal framework and standardisation to ensure modern and quality ambulance services in the country, which will also include an effective oxygen supply system.

Other speakers, at the event, emphasised the importance of building an affordable, equitable, and sustainable medical oxygen ecosystem in the country through public-private partnerships.