Global health financing for oxygen systems
Medical oxygen is a lifesaving therapy with no substitute. Yet, 60 percent of the world’s population lacks access, with low- and middle-income countries bearing the greatest burden.
This Global health financing for oxygen systems brief series equips governments, development partners, civil society, and advocates with practical guidance to mobilize financing, shape policy, and integrate oxygen into national health priorities. Each brief distills complex financing mechanisms into actionable steps—helping countries secure sustainable investments in oxygen production, delivery, devices, data systems, and workforce capacity.
Current oxygen financing opportunities (as of June 2026)
About each brief
The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria: This brief explains how countries can integrate oxygen and pulse oximetry into Global Fund funding requests—particularly through the Resilient and Sustainable Systems for Health (RSSH) component. Oxygen strengthens clinical care for HIV, tuberculosis, malaria, and co‑infections, while also supporting emergency and critical care.
Global Financing Facility for Women, Children and Adolescents (GFF): This brief explains how countries can integrate medical oxygen and pulse oximetry into national investment cases for reproductive, maternal, newborn, child, and adolescent health (RMNCAH). Oxygen is essential for treating newborn complications, obstetric emergencies, and childhood pneumonia—making it a natural fit for GFF priorities.
Multilateral development banks (MDBs): This brief provides a roadmap for securing concessional loans, grants, and technical assistance from MDBs—including the World Bank, Asian Development Bank, African Development Bank, and others. MDB financing can support large‑scale, long‑term oxygen infrastructure, from oxygen generation plants to pipelines to biomedical engineering capacity.
The Pandemic Fund: This brief outlines how countries can leverage this global financing mechanism to strengthen oxygen systems as part of pandemic preparedness and response. Oxygen is a core component of resilient clinical care capacity—critical for diagnosis and disease management during respiratory outbreaks and severe illness.
Who is this brief series for?
This four‑part series provides a concise, practical overview of major global financing pathways that can support national medical oxygen systems. It is designed for:
- Government officials shaping national health strategies and budgets
- Development partners supporting proposal or investment case development
- Civil society organizations advocating for equitable access to lifesaving care
- Technical experts designing oxygen system interventions
- Multilateral and bilateral funders seeking aligned, high-impact investments
Each brief explains how oxygen fits into the priorities of major financing institutions, outlines steps for engagement, and provides examples of successful initiatives.
These briefs were developed by PATH, in partnership with the Every Breath Counts coalition.
More resources on oxygen financing
Learn more about PATH's work in oxygen.
For questions or more information: oxygen@path.org.
