How a National Initiative is Turning 17 Hospitals into Life-Saving Hubs

A nationwide initiative to install medical oxygen plants at 17 public hospitals will reduce maternal, child, and surgical mortality rates by eliminating a perilous and costly supply chain that for years put patients at risk.

The project, led by Ethiopia's Ministry of Health in partnership with the World Bank and UNOPS, has installed the Pressure Swing Adsorption (PSA) oxygen system. It includes oxygen production, a vacuum system, and a medical air system at regional hospitals across the country. Each facility now produces up to 30 cubic meters of oxygen per hour, serving not only its own patients but also acting as a supply hub for other health facilities in surrounding areas.

Previously, hospitals were forced to transport oxygen cylinders over distances of up to 500 kilometers along treacherous roads. Frequent valve breakages, delays, and the risk of explosions made the supply chain both dangerous and unreliable.

Dr. Melaku Medehn, General Manager of Tercha General Hospital, said, "The situation at our hospital was critical. We had to travel nearly 500 kilometers to obtain oxygen. The challenge was not only the long distance, but also the delays, high costs, and significant financial burden involved. There were instances when patients lost their lives because oxygen supplies did not arrive in time."

The new PSA systems operate with dual lines: one for filling cylinders for distribution to external clinics, and another for direct, uninterrupted supply to patient beds. The plants are equipped with automated safety valves and alarms, and can switch between lines automatically to ensure continuous patient care.

"Now we have oxygen just like we get electricity from the sockets. Wearing our white coats, our patients expect that we are there to give them solutions. We know we can give them medicine and everything, but we can't do anything without oxygen. Now, we finally have it,” Dr. Melaku said. 

The technology is designed for sustainability and safety, it has safety valves, automation, and alarms. It can automatically switch over from one line to another to ensure that the patient supply is uninterrupted.

The 17 hospitals now serve as regional oxygen hubs, improving emergency preparedness and reducing transport-related risks for rural health facilities. The initiative is part of a broader government effort to strengthen healthcare infrastructure and reduce preventable deaths linked to oxygen shortages.

The project was funded by the World Bank and executed with technical oversight from UNOPS, under the coordination of Ethiopia's Ministry of Health.