Foundation to host third roundtable discussion on access to medical oxygen

Access to medical oxygen is essential for both everyday healthcare and emergency care. Yet many low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) still lack reliable access. To help address this gap, the Access to Medicine Foundation established the Medical Oxygen Community of Practice (CoP), which brings together key stakeholders to advance oxygen access in underserved regions.

The CoP meets several times each year to discuss current barriers, share best practices, foster new partnerships, and identify opportunities to bridge gaps in access to this essential healthcare product in LMICs.

The third Global Oxygen Alliance (GO₂AL) CoP roundtable will be hosted on behalf of the Global Oxygen Alliance. At this session, the Foundation will update all CoP members on its ongoing work since the last meeting and present the GO₂AL CoP Industry Action Plan, which outlines the next steps for the remainder of 2025 and into 2026.

The Industry Action Plan focuses on three pilot countries – Senegal, Uganda, and South Africa – and sets out how CoP members will collaborate within newly formed country teams to strengthen global coordination on oxygen access.

Jayasree K. Iyer, CEO of the Foundation, and Steffi Van Uytfanghe, Company Engagement Officer at the Foundation, will share the Industry Action Plan and introduce the country-focused teams.

In addition, Dimakatso Mathibe, Senior Manager for Medical Devices and Radiation Control at the South African Health Products Regulatory Authority (SAHPRA), will speak about the regulatory landscape for medical oxygen and devices in the region.

About GO₂AL

GO₂AL was established to support LMICs in developing, financing and implementing sustainable national oxygen plans to accelerate access to medical oxygen. It is a partnership of approximately 20 organisations, co-chaired by Unitaid and the Global Fund, and vice-chaired by the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO)/WHO and the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention. It is managed jointly by Unitaid, WHO, and the United Nations Children’s Fund.

For more information regarding this event, please contact: