Oxygen
Help get oxygen to those who need it most. Join us to establish locally-operated oxygen centers in resource-constrained settings, provide medical oxygen training, strengthen health systems, and save lives.
Why It Matters.
MEDICAL OXYGEN SAVES LIVES
We believe no one should die because of a lack of medical oxygen.
Medical oxygen is a life-saving medicine that treats a wide range of critical conditions. Unfortunately, in many resource constrained settings worldwide, there is a severe lack of medical oxygen and training on the proper use of oxygen therapy. As a result, preventable deaths occur every day. COVID-19 is amplifying this challenge. Now, more than ever, oxygen is a crucial treatment required for those whose lives are at risk during this global crisis.
Why It Matters.
MEDICAL OXYGEN SAVES LIVES
We believe no one should die because of a lack of medical oxygen.
Medical oxygen is a life-saving medicine that treats a wide range of critical conditions. Unfortunately, in many resource constrained settings worldwide, there is a severe lack of medical oxygen and training on the proper use of oxygen therapy. As a result, preventable deaths occur every day. COVID-19 is amplifying this challenge. Now, more than ever, oxygen is a crucial treatment required for those whose lives are at risk during this global crisis.
Women, newborns, and children are generally most affected by the lack of medical oxygen.
Across Africa, long transportation distances and few production facilities make oxygen costly and scarce. Rural health facilities have no choice but to transport oxygen over hundreds of miles, and only access a small fraction of their total need.
Pneumonia is the leading cause of death for children under-five, and oxygen alone can decrease pneumonia mortality by 20-40%.
Every minute, 2 children under the age of 5 die from acute lower respiratory infections. Many of these deaths could be prevented with better diagnostic treatment and access to oxygen therapy.
As of September 2021, 20% of COVID-19 patients develop severe symptoms and require medical oxygen.
How We Do It
Our Approach
By building oxygen production and distribution centers, in conjunction with oxygen training and equipment repair, we increase access to medical oxygen in resource-constrained settings.
Approaching medical oxygen as part of an ecosystem, rather than a commodity, we establish oxygen centers that make a significant impact in under-served regions and provide evidence-based interventions such as:
- Clinical training for oxygen therapy
- Supplies of oxygen therapy tools & accessories
- Business Model Strategy & Support
- Monitoring and evaluation
- Biomedical training on equipment maintenance and repair
- Context-specific policy development and advocacy
Oxygen IS ESSENTIAl™
Our oxygen program design ensures local ownership and long-term sustainability, creating lasting change.
Assist International has been providing comprehensive oxygen solutions in low-resource settings with the goal of saving lives and improving health outcomes since 2007. Our solution is an all-inclusive, sustainable model of oxygen delivery that includes production, distribution, maintenance, and training. Along with our partners, we’ve established oxygen centers that provide affordable, reliable oxygen to many health facilities.
In response to COVID-19, Assist International has also been providing technical assistance to Ministries of Health around the globe, supporting efforts to strengthen oxygen production, distribution, maintenance and delivery systems.
Oxygen
Our Impact.
Breathing for Life
After witnessing the tragic death of a six-year-old boy in Nejo, Ethiopia, nurse Obse Lubo of Stanford University Hospital became a champion for medical oxygen, inspiring Rotary and Assist International to join together, take action, and establish the Breathing for Life project.
After witnessing the tragic death of a six-year-old boy in Nejo, Ethiopia, nurse Obse Lubo of Stanford University Hospital became a champion for medical oxygen, inspiring Rotary and Assist International to join together, take action, and establish the Breathing for Life project.
Today, medical oxygen now flows in Nejo, Ethiopia, saving the lives of untold thousands during this pandemic, and breathing hope into the entire region!
Read the full story from the link below:
Today, medical oxygen now flows in Nejo, Ethiopia, saving the lives of untold thousands during this pandemic, and breathing hope into the entire region!
Read the full story from the link below:
“At that time, I didn’t know what to say or do, but I promised myself and prayed to God that I’ll try to prevent or reduce people dying, especially young children with asthma, or pneumonia or any other lung disease, due to a lack of oxygen.”
— Obse Lubo, Stanford University Hospital
Resources
Oxygen 101
With insights from oxygen experts, and data from hundreds of interviews we have conducted with medical professionals, hospital administrators, procurement specialists, and ministry of health officials, this new blog series unpacks how to save lives by systematically removing barriers to oxygen access.
Oxygen Resources
Now, more than ever, oxygen is a crucial treatment required for those whose lives are at risk during this global crisis. Please see below for links to our virtual oxygen series events and supplementary materials.
“In previous times we lost many children because of lack of oxygen. Since oxygen is critically important for neonates to survive, the [Assist International] oxygen plant saves the lives of many neonates that could be dead because of the lack of oxygen.”
— NICU Nurse, Ethiopia, 2021.
Make A Donation
YOUR GIFT CAN CHANGE LIVES
Assist International is a registered 501(c)3 non-profit organization since 1990 (ID: 77-0243475). All donations are tax deductible where allowed by law.
Donations via check or money order may be given by mail. Please make donations payable to “Assist International” and indicate any designations on the memo line.
Assist International
800 South Stockton Avenue
Ripon, CA 95366
Call (209) 599-1890 to make a donation by phone. Someone from our team will assist you and answer any questions you may have about your donation.
95% of every donation goes directly into our programs that address the needs of the world’s vulnerable people. We value the trust you have placed in our organization, and we strive for the highest financial accountability ratings.
