Kinshasa—In the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), where only 32 percent of health care facilities had access to medical oxygen before 2021, countless lives were lost to treatable respiratory conditions. The COVID-19 pandemic exposed this gap, highlighting the urgent need for better oxygen supply and trained health care workers.
To address this, the DRC Ministry of Public Health partnered with PATH’s Strengthening Oxygen Utilization and Respiratory Care Ecosystems (SOURCE) project to launch the country’s first oxygen therapy training center at the University of Kinshasa (UNIKIN) in April 2025, alongside other activities to strengthen the capacity of biomedical engineers to maintain oxygen equipment and for health care workers to administer oxygen therapy.
“This center is an important step for the DRC’s health system. It reflects our focus on practical solutions like oxygen therapy training.”— Trad Hatton, PATH’s DRC Country Director
A critical shortage
In the DRC, limited access to medical oxygen has long hindered care for conditions like pneumonia, neonatal infections, and COVID-19, which often require oxygen to treat hypoxemia—a dangerous drop in blood oxygen levels.
A 2021 PATH survey of 692 health facilities in the DRC found that 68 percent of facilities had never provided oxygen therapy, with only 31 percent of facilities possessing oxygen concentrators—often in extremely limited supply—and 11 percent having oxygen cylinders. In addition, 62 percent lacked pulse oximeters, which are essential for diagnosing hypoxemia and for monitoring oxygen levels during treatment.
The COVID-19 pandemic intensified these challenges, overwhelming hospitals unable to meet the surging demand for medical oxygen. Addressing this gap requires both increased equipment and a skilled workforce capable of delivering effective respiratory care.
A portable emergency ventilator, one of several pieces of medical equipment donated by PATH to the University of Kinshasa as part of an effort to establish the DRC's first oxygen therapy training center. Photo: PATH/Yves Ndjadi.
Collaboration for sustainability
In response to this need, the UNIKIN training center was designed to equip doctors, nurses, and medical students with the skills to administer oxygen therapy effectively.
The new facility is equipped with advanced tools, including ventilators, oxygen concentrators delivering 5 to 10 liters, multiparameter monitors, video laryngoscopes, spirometers, mucus aspirators, high-fidelity mannequins for practicing cardiopulmonary resuscitation and airway management, and essentials like masks and nasal cannulas. These resources will enable trainees to hone real-world clinical skills through simulated emergency scenarios in a controlled environment.
“For years, we hoped for a facility to train our students in modern techniques. This center enables them to practice in realistic conditions, which is vital for medical education.”— Professor Jean-Marie Kayembe, Rector of UNIKIN
PATH has also supported the development of a national oxygen therapy strategy, the integration of oxygen therapy into curricula at UNIKIN and other institutions in the Central African nation, and the introduction of a biomedical equipment maintenance training at the Institut Supérieur des Techniques Appliquées—all of which align with the DRC’s National Health Development Plan for 2025 to 2033.
These collective initiatives reflect a robust collaboration between PATH, the DRC Ministry of Public Health, higher education training institutions, the Corporation of Biomedical Engineers, and civil society organizations.
This partnership ensures the course addresses local needs while fostering sustainable country ownership. And by uniting diverse stakeholders, this collaborative approach positions UNIKIN to lead oxygen therapy training nationwide—ensuring long-term impact.
Consequently, the UNIKIN course marks a milestone in strengthening the health system, with a 98 percent success rate according to the DRC’s Integrated National Health System Strengthening Program. By training these health care workers, this new training center and course address the critical shortage of skilled personnel in the DRC—thereby overcoming a persistent barrier to oxygen therapy.
PATH's Dr. Stéphane Mutombo explains oxygen therapy equipment to officials during a tour of the University of Kinshasa’s new training center, designed to teach respiratory care skills. Photo: PATH/Yves Ndjadi.
Oxygen within reach
Ultimately, the UNIKIN oxygen therapy training course is a pivotal advancement toward ensuring no Congolese patient dies for lack of oxygen. It equips health care workers with the clinical skills to save lives from pneumonia, neonatal infections, and other respiratory conditions—building a foundation for a more robust health system.
Yet challenges remain: expanding equipment and training across the DRC is critical to sustaining progress. Rooted in collaboration and local expertise, this course offers a model for other public health initiatives, bringing oxygen—a lifeline—closer to those who need it most.
University of Kinshasa, PATH, and Ministry of Health officials pose in a group photo after the launch ceremony for the Democratic Republic of the Congo’s first oxygen therapy training center. Photo: PATH/Yves Ndjadi.
