A Critical Step Towards Equitable Healthcare
The Council of International Neonatal Nurses, Inc. (COINN) is pleased to spotlight a significant publication, “Global Access to Medical Oxygen: Embedding NursingInvolvement,” published in The Lancet Global Health,
which brings much-needed attention to the crucial role of nurses in ensuring equitable access to medical oxygen worldwide. This article features our esteemed Non-Executive Board Member and Regional Director for Africa, Patrick Kimutai Too, as a contributing author, reinforcing the essential contributions of nurses to neonatal and critical care.
Why Medical Oxygen Matters
Medical oxygen is a lifesaving intervention vital for treating respiratory distress, hypoxia, and neonatal complications. Despite being classified as an essential medicine by the World Health Organization (WHO), access to oxygen therapy remains inequitable, particularly in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs).
The COVID-19 pandemic further highlighted these gaps, exposing the vulnerability of under-resourced health systems where oxygen shortages led to preventable deaths. The urgent need to integrate nurses in policies, decision-making, and healthcare infrastructure is clearer than ever.
Nurses: Frontline Advocates for Oxygen Therapy
As frontline healthcare providers, nurses play a pivotal role in oxygen therapy—from early detection of hypoxia to administering and monitoring oxygen delivery. The article emphasises that without the structured involvement of nurses in oxygen policy, supply chain management, and education, global health goals will remain unmet.
The key areas where nurses can drive change include:
Early Identification & Monitoring: Nurses are often the first to detect breathing difficulties and initiate oxygen therapy.
Education & Training: Skilled nurses ensure safe oxygen administration, preventing risks such as oxygen toxicity.
Policy Advocacy: Nurses should be actively involved in policy discussions on oxygen accessibility and distribution.
Infrastructure Development: Nurses, in collaboration with biomedical engineers, can ensure that oxygen delivery systems are sustainable and well-maintained.
Bridging the Gaps: Recommendations for Sustainable Oxygen Access
The article calls for urgent multisectoral collaboration to address oxygen access disparities. The authors advocate for:
Nurse-Led Training Programs to enhance skills in oxygen therapy.
Integration of Nurses in Policymaking to ensure healthcare systems recognise their vital role.
Investment in Oxygen Infrastructure to support healthcare facilities in LMICs.
Stronger Nurse-Biomedical Collaborations for sustainable oxygen delivery systems.
COINN’s Commitment to Neonatal and Critical Care Advocacy
At COINN, we are immensely proud of Patrick Kimutai Too for his contribution to this vital discussion. His work aligns with our mission to elevate the role of neonatal nurses worldwide and advocate for equitable access to essential healthcare resources.
We encourage all healthcare professionals, policymakers, and global health stakeholders to read this groundbreaking article and join the movement to ensure universal access to medical oxygen.
📖 Read the full article here: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2214109X24004996
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