Oxygen volume pledges and ASU network growth support sub-Saharan Africa

UK-based medical group MedAccess and Synergy Gases (Synergy) are to expand access to affordable oxygen for medical use across sub-Saharan Africa under a new volume deal.

This agreement, in conjunction with Unitaid and Clinton Health Access Initiative, marks a major step forward for the East Africa Program on Oxygen Access (EAPOA), the continent’s first regional initiative to increase the availability of medical oxygen.

Under the terms, Synergy will provide medical oxygen to public and private hospitals across Kenya at or below a negotiated ceiling price.

The oxygen will be produced at a new facility near Kilifi County, Kenya, currently under construction as part of the EAPOA’s efforts to boost regional production of medical grade liquid oxygen.

From there, a hub-and-spoke model will support oxygen distribution to hospitals across Kenya and into parts of Tanzania and Uganda.

MedAccess will make a payment to Synergy if sales fall below agreed volumes, giving the company confidence to invest in reliable supply chains and price medical oxygen affordably.

Paras Pandya, Managing Director of Synergy Gases, said, “Our new facility in Kilifi County is a significant milestone in ensuring regional oxygen security and aligns with the EAPOA goal.”

The EAPOA is developing a regional network of liquid oxygen air separation units in Kenya and Tanzania to ensure medical oxygen reaches underserved communities across the region.

Funded by Unitaid, with contributions from Canada and Japan, the programme uses a blended financing model that combines catalytic grant funding with market-shaping tools such as volume guarantees, provided by MedAccess where appropriate. The project is led by CHAI in collaboration with PATH and the governments of Kenya and Tanzania.

Medical oxygen remains scarce in many parts of sub-Saharan Africa. Oxygen is critical for treating pneumonia, COVID-19, advanced HIV, severe tuberculosis and malaria, as well as supporting maternal care, surgery, and emergency treatment.

“As the global health landscape shifts, it’s more important than ever to support country-led solutions that build long-term resilience,” said Dr Philippe Duneton, Executive Director of Unitaid.

“This partnership reflects a new model, one where governments, local manufacturers, and global partners work hand in hand to strengthen regional supply and ensure that essential tools like medical oxygen are accessible, affordable, and reliably available where they’re needed most.”

The EAPOA aims to expand medical oxygen production by 300% in East Africa, and reduce oxygen prices by up to 27%, making it more affordable for health care systems across the region, and enabling treatment of thousands of additional patients each month.

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