BKANK Group marks World Oxygen Day with call for stronger medical oxygen infrastructure

On the occasion of World Oxygen Day, BKANK Group has underscored the importance of medical oxygen as a critical life-saving resource.

A statement signed by Kofi Owusu Asamoah, CEO of BKANK Group, highlighted oxygen’s essential role in emergency and critical care, managing childhood pneumonia, maternal complications, surgical interventions, and infectious diseases such as COVID-19.

The statement noted that Ghana and the wider West African subregion had made significant progress in expanding access to oxygen through collaborative efforts. Key developments include the launch of the National Medical Oxygen Policy in July 2023 to ensure efficient production and supply nationwide, investments by Growth Investment Partners (GIP) Ghana Ltd in Rikair Company Limited to enhance availability, and the donation of 10 modern liquid oxygen plants to the Ghana Health Service by the US government.

BKANK Group also promotes the Critical Health Regional Medical Oxygen Infrastructure Project, aimed at enhancing and sustaining access to innovative oxygen solutions, supported by national governments, development partners, and frontline health workers.

Despite progress, challenges remain in ensuring adequate supply and accessibility. The statement called on regional leaders, policymakers, researchers, and international partners to:

• Invest in sustainable oxygen infrastructure.
• Build the capacity of biomedical engineers and health workers.
• Promote cross-border collaboration to address supply chain bottlenecks.
• Champion equity to guarantee access for every patient, regardless of location.

It also urged legislation to classify oxygen as an essential drug, strengthen pandemic preparedness, and enhance healthcare system resilience.

The statement stressed the need to improve equitable access to medical oxygen for more than 400 million people in West Africa, reduce reliance on imports and emergency aid, and achieve regional self-sufficiency.

“Medical oxygen is not a luxury; it is a human right. By working together, we can ensure that no child, mother, or patient loses their life because of lack of access to this essential medicine,” it concluded.

World Oxygen Day is observed annually on October 2 to raise awareness about oxygen’s critical role and promote the importance of oxygen therapy for individuals with respiratory conditions.