Govt secures equipment to protect newborns and patients with respiratory conditions
Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale has called on governors across the forty-seven counties to set aside resources that will help maintain the new oxygen machines allocated to each county.
In a statement on his official X account on Tuesday, November 4, 2025, the Health CS flagged off new oxygen accessories, which are expected to bring relief to newborns and patients with respiratory diseases in various county hospitals.
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The CS confirmed that the oxygen accessories were in partnership with the Global Fund COVID-19 Response Mechanism Oxygen Infrastructure Project.
“Flagged off a consignment of oxygen accessories under the Global Fund COVID-19 Response Mechanism Oxygen Infrastructure Project, a major boost to Kenya’s health system and our journey toward Universal Health Coverage (UHC),” Duale said.
The consignment, which comprises 470 multiparameter monitors, 10,000 wall outlet flowmeters, and 612 oxygen analysers, will be distributed to health facilities across all 47 counties.
County supply
In addition, Duale detailed that the new consignment is an addition to the 20,620 cylinders previously supplied nationwide.
“The consignment, comprising 470 multiparameter monitors, 10,000 wall outlet flowmeters, and 612 oxygen analyzers, will be distributed to health facilities across all 47 counties, complementing the 20,620 cylinders previously supplied nationwide,” Duale added.
Duale further revealed that the new consignment is expected to boost Kenya’s oxygen ecosystem by enhancing early therapy for newborns and supporting patients with respiratory conditions such as asthma, pneumonia, and COPD.
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To date, the Global Fund COVID-19 Response Mechanism Oxygen Infrastructure Project has installed at least 14 bulk tanks while also delivering over 1.2 million kilograms of liquid oxygen to health facilities.
“This initiative strengthens our oxygen ecosystem by enhancing early therapy for newborns and supporting patients with respiratory conditions such as asthma, pneumonia, and COPD. To date, the project has installed 14 bulk tanks and delivered over 1.2 million kilograms of liquid oxygen to health facilities, Duale noted.
To ensure sustainability, Duale affirmed that the Ministry of Health will prioritise regular calibration, continuous capacity building, and a skilled health workforce while asking governors to take part in the maintenance.
“County governments and facilities are encouraged to allocate resources for preventive maintenance and spare parts to sustain functionality,” Duale said.
