More Access to Lifesaving Oxygen for Millions

Since 2021, UNICEF has expanded its health programming to bring fully operational Pressure Swing Absorption (PSA) plants, which extract oxygen from the air, to locations in need. By 2025, 130 new oxygen plants will be installed worldwide, helping an estimated 400,000 children annually.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, UNICEF launched the ‘Plant in a Box project’ which will ensure that 40 more countries would have easier access to oxygen. So far, 57 of the 130 oxygen plants have been installed across 21 low- and middle-income countries.

Access to oxygen is essential for many children who suffer from various diseases, such as pneumonia, which alone kills 700,000 children under five each year. UNICEF is working closely alongside global partners to ensure the successful installation of oxygen plants across these 40 countries. Amazingly, solar power is being used to guarantee uninterrupted power supply for many regions currently poorly equipped to handle large electrical systems. The COVID-19 pandemic shed light on the fact that infrastructure for sourcing oxygen is an investment in global health, and UNICEF’s swift action is set to save millions.