Medical devices are a critical but often overlooked component of effective facility-based care, such as medical oxygen therapy. Medical devices have unique characteristics that make them difficult to manage, particularly in low-resource settings. For instance, devices can serve multiple clinical uses across different health areas, complicating ownership and funding responsibilities. They also often require extensive training, ongoing preventive maintenance, and a reliable supply of specialized parts and accessories.

This fact sheet highlights PATH's continued focus on improving access to respiratory care and broader medical devices—building on previous research and initiatives under the Market Dynamics for Medical Devices (MD4MD), Scaling Access to Lifesaving Equipment (SCALE), and Strengthening Oxygen Utilization and Respiratory Care Ecosystems (SOURCE) projects. Building on this extensive foundation, PATH will explore and scale innovative business and operating models, while strengthening underlying data systems for managing medical devices and equipment.