Health Expert: Oxygen Therapy is Lifesaving, Not Fatal

During the 2025 National Oxygen Coordination Meeting held in Abuja, health expert Eno Edem addressed the misconceptions surrounding oxygen therapy, stating it does not signify imminent death but is a crucial lifesaving intervention. She attributed the stigma associated with oxygen therapy to limited community awareness and inadequate sensitization about its benefits.

Edem noted that healthcare workers share responsibility for the mismanagement of oxygen, often administering it too late when patients are already in critical condition. She stressed the importance of proper training for healthcare workers to improve patient outcomes and change public perception.

Edem mentioned that UNICEF is partnering to train 1,000 healthcare workers across the country, although she acknowledged that efforts remain insufficient. Dr.

Abdelhamid Moham, the oxygen desk officer for the North East Region, expressed optimism about sustaining investments in the medical oxygen system, particularly lessons learned during the COVID-19 pandemic, which highlighted the importance of operational oxygen plants.