Reliable medical oxygen is not just about having equipment in a health facility; it is about ensuring that oxygen services remain available, functional, and ready when patients need them. As a result, CPHD and the Philips Foundation, through O₂aaS, are strengthening the systems of 10 counties for reliable access to oxygen.
The Center for Public Health and Development (CPHD) has launched the Oxygen as a Service (O₂aaS) project. Additionally, CPHD partnered with the Philips Foundation to implement O₂aaS across 10 counties in Kenya: Kajiado, Machakos, Migori, Kitui, Kakamega. Additional counties include Makueni, Kiambu, Vihiga, Kisumu and Kisii.
The three-year initiative brings together county governments, health leaders, healthcare workers, biomedical teams and implementation partners. It aims to strengthen the availability of medical oxygen services across participating health facilities. It also improves the reliability and sustainability of those services.
Strengthening Sustainable Oxygen Services
The O₂aaS model moves beyond one-time interventions. It focuses on the systems and support needed to keep oxygen services functional over time. CPHD will work with county and facility teams to strengthen oxygen service delivery. It will build technical capacity, improve systems management, and support approaches integrated into routine health services.
A key component of the project is a proactive “swap-and-go” maintenance approach, designed to minimise equipment downtime and support continuity of oxygen services. The project aims to achieve 95% equipment uptime across participating facilities.
The initiative will also strengthen local capacity, with 2,000 healthcare workers and biomedical engineers set to receive training in oxygen therapy, oxygen systems management, equipment operation and preventive maintenance.
Beyond implementation, CPHD will work with county governments to support long-term ownership and sustainability of oxygen services, while generating evidence on the performance and cost-effectiveness of the O₂aaS model.
The project is aligned with the Kenya Medical Oxygen Roadmap (2025–2030). The project contributes to broader efforts to build resilient health systems and expand equitable access to life-saving medical oxygen.
Through strong partnerships with county governments and the Philips Foundation, CPHD remains committed to strengthening sustainable oxygen services. The Philips Foundation is a nonprofit supporting stronger health systems through catalytic funding, healthcare expertise, and collaboration. CPHD ensures reliable medical oxygen is available to every patient who needs it, when they need it.
