O2NOW: Addressing Oxygen Scarcity NOW
MLC VANGUARD | Created by Assist International
A comprehensive approach to medical oxygen therapy access in resource-variable settings that includes local oxygen production, distribution, training, and equipment in partnership with government to enable affordable and reliable access to medical oxygen.
4,100,000 Lives Impacted
Our target population includes any patient living on less than $5/day receiving in-patient care at program hospitals. While patients are the ultimate beneficiary, physicians and nurses at low-resource hospitals receive training, supplies, and tools to treat patients who need oxygen.
The Innovation
We target critical barriers to accessing medical oxygen in low- and middle- income countries, by implementing a comprehensive suite of interventions to support the development of a sustainable oxygen ecosystem. This starts with infrastructure: we work closely with local partners to establish an appropriate medical oxygen production supply and distribution system that can typically serve a whole network of hospitals. Once established, our biomedical engineer professional team creates a tailored oxygen therapy equipment package for each site, with the goal of reducing barriers to oxygen distribution. To assure safe and effective use of the medical oxygen, we also provide facilities with a blended model of in-person and virtual clinical and technical trainings, covering topics from oxygen therapy and critical care to device maintenance and repair. These activities are complemented with rigorous monitoring & evaluation to continuously evaluate progress and impact to enable data-driven problem solving. Finally, we work closely with facilities to create sustainable business models using our “hub & spoke” model of oxygen distribution and to ensure longevity of the program.
About Assist International
The mission of Assist International is to partner with changemakers around the world to provide solutions that save lives and build resilient communities. Assist International has completed over 600 projects, reaching 15,000 healthcare and biomedical engineering professionals from 1660+ hospitals and universities in 128 countries worldwide. Whether it is building schools for children in Uganda, providing advanced medical equipment in Vietnam, or establishing orphanages in Romania, we strive for excellence and sustainability. With all of our programs, we believe the best way to provide effective solutions that bring about lasting change is by working with in-country partners and coming alongside to empower them and increase their capacity.
Implemented in
O2NOW: Addressing Oxygen Scarcity NOW has been implemented in Ethiopia, Kenya, and Rwanda
