Healthcare entities across the UAE are proactively tackling prostate cancer on multiple fronts through a comprehensive strategy that prioritises early detection, personalised treatment, and holistic support for every man affected. This reimagined approach goes beyond traditional treatment models and places a strong emphasis on empowering men to actively control their health journey and make informed decisions.

At the forefront of this approach is a collaborative effort by both public and private healthcare stakeholders to raise awareness about the early detection of prostate cancer. The prevalence of prostate cancer has been increasing in the region and is one of the most common cancers among men in the UAE. Some studies indicate that out of every 100,000 men, over 300 are affected, making it one of the top five cancers. Widespread awareness campaigns are educating men about these statistics and promoting the importance of regular screenings. This proactive approach ensures that prostate cancer is identified at its most treatable stage, significantly improving patient outcomes.

Dr. Deborah Mukherji, Medical Oncologist at Clemenceau Medical Center Dubai, emphasises the crucial role of collective awareness efforts: “Given the UAE’s young population, the prevalence of prostate cancer is lower than what we see in Europe and North America. Prostate cancer is most common above the age of 55. However, it is important for men from the age of 40 to get screened regularly if they have a family history of prostate cancer. Equally important is to educate men on the lifestyle aspects they should focus on to mitigate the risk of prostate and other cancers, such as maintaining a healthy weight, avoiding smoking, and limiting alcohol. This is the information we are trying to get out there to patients.”

Dr. Deborah Mukherji

Beyond raising awareness about early screening, healthcare authorities across the UAE are also collaborating to deliver a multidisciplinary approach to prostate cancer treatment. Collaborations between healthcare providers, public entities, and pharma companies are promoting comprehensive care that is tailored to each patient's unique needs. This approach ensures that individuals facing prostate cancer receive not only cutting-edge medical treatments, but also holistic support addressing the emotional and psychological aspects of their journey.

According to Dr. Deborah, these collaborations also help to advance medical research, clinical trials, and surgical and radiation treatments aimed at improving options for patients. “We are all working together to diagnose early tumours and maintain patient quality of life. Better treatments with fewer side effects are what we’re all working towards. Alongside this, we are also striving to understand what patients need, what information they’re looking for, and then delivering that information to them in their own language. It is especially important for us to work with the pharmaceutical industry in this regard,” she says.

Novartis, one of the leading pharmaceutical companies globally, has been a key partner to healthcare providers across the region in highlighting the importance of regular screening for prostate cancer. According to Mohamed Ezz Eldin, Head of Gulf Countries at Novartis, the company believes in the power of collaboration to transform the landscape of prostate cancer care. “By joining forces with healthcare providers, public entities, and other stakeholders, we aim to elevate the standards of early detection, treatment, and support for individuals facing prostate cancer in the UAE.”

“Our commitment goes beyond delivering innovative pharmaceutical solutions,” he added. “We actively engage in initiatives that prioritise patient education, raise awareness, and contribute to the advancement of research in the field. Together with our stakeholders, we aspire to create a future where individuals diagnosed with prostate cancer can navigate their journey with resilience, informed decision-making, and comprehensive support.”

Back to Clinical

In the past few years, wearables have carved out a significant space for themselves as they have evolved from promoting wellness to strengthening lives and outcomes. The COVID pandemic has played a pivotal role in accelerating the demand for wearable devices as more people have recognised the importance of assessing and monitoring their health remotely using these devices. An estimated 1.1 billion users worldwide used wearables in 2022, which is expected to increase further and help in offering global healthcare cost savings of US$200 billion in the near future.

As wearables grow in popularity, the devices are witnessing drastic changes to their form and making them an intricate part of our daily lives. Rather than looking like a watch, or fitness band, the next generation wearables are taking the form of clothing, headsets, or unobtrusive skin patches. Furthermore, aside from diverse form factors, these devices are incorporating different components such as various sensing technologies including electrochemical sensors and colorimetric sensors, artificial intelligence (AI)/machine learning (ML) algorithms, ultrasound transducers, electrodes, and drug delivery mechanisms.

This integration of sophisticated components has allowed next generation wearables to offer continuous and long-term health monitoring as well as on-demand therapy as compared to just tracking steps taken or calories burned provided by the earlier generation wearables. With individuals becoming more tech-savvy coupled with heightened health awareness levels, there is an increased demand for devices that can monitor the user's health, provide insights, and also improve health outcomes.

The next generation wearables are making deeper inroads in our lives and in the process drastically changing the healthcare landscape. By personalised, moment-to-moment health analysis, individuals can detect clinical deterioration in early stages and subsequently take proactive steps to prevent them from occurring. Clinicians can remotely monitor their patients’ health data, resulting in fewer in-person visits while allowing them to optimise their workloads. Furthermore, remote monitoring of patients’ vitals also minimises hospital readmissions, thus reducing healthcare costs for the providers. The high burden of chronic diseases responsible for causing 74 per cent of all annual deaths globally is creating an urgent need for a more decentralised healthcare system and the next generation wearables seem to be the ideal solution to address this need owing to their ever-increasing applications in patient monitoring, diagnostics, and therapeutics.

Related: Enhancing heart health with quality metrics and wearables

Next generation wearables as tools for monitoring and therapy

Improved disease monitoring

Next generation wearables such as skin patches or clothing embedded with multiple sensors are being used to monitor parameters such as heart rate, body temperature, as well as levels of different body analytes. The data generated by these sensors is then analysed by AI/ML algorithms to provide insights into an individual's health status. Through the use of gentle nudges and personalised notifications, these devices are enabling positive behavioural changes in users by motivating them to maintain healthy lifestyles, facilitating nutritional modifications, and encouraging them to get adequate sleep.

This continuous engagement is transforming the value of health among individuals from a periodic concern to a day-to-day commitment, emphasising the importance of proactive measures over reactive interventions. For example, RDS SAS, has developed a multi-sensor wearable patch to continuously monitor levels of vitals such as heart rate, skin temperature, and respiration rate in patients and provide notifications about the early signs of clinical deterioration to the individuals and enable clinical actions to be taken for improving their health.

Body conformable skin patches are also being evaluated for continuous monitoring of wound healing status in the patients. For instance, researchers at the National University of Singapore have developed a paper-thin skin patch that can continuously track different wound biomarkers with 97 per cent accuracy to determine if the wounds are healing properly and detect wound infections. The skin patch can significantly improve the quality of wound care and prevent incremental treatment costs for the patients.

Wearable ultrasound monitors, in the form of patches, are being developed that can image organs within the body, such as the heart, kidneys, or bladder, without the need for an ultrasound operator. The ability of the wearable ultrasound patches to remain adhered to the skin while enabling continuous imaging has facilitated their use in areas including assessment of cardiac health, monitoring foetal growth, diagnosing musculoskeletal injuries, and early detection of anomalies, including cancer. Pulsify Medical has developed an ultrasound skin patch for continuously and accurately measuring and monitoring an individual’s cardiac performance, including cardiac output, on a long-term basis.

Therapeutics through Next Gen Wearables

Neuromodulation therapy

Through use of neuromodulation, next generation wearables in the form of headsets, sleeves, socks, and ankle-worn garments are playing a pivotal role in the effective management of chronic conditions such as mental disorders, chronic pain, urological and neurological conditions. The devices use neuromodulation technologies such as transcranial direct current stimulation and peripheral neurostimulation for selectively stimulating specific brain regions as well as nerve pathways to enhance cognitive function, modulate psychiatric symptoms, control bladder functions, and reduce pain. These devices also incorporate sensors for detecting noxious nerve signals and accordingly deliver adaptive personalised stimulation using AI algorithms that are customised to the patients’ needs.

Drug delivery

Wearable drug patches that facilitate subcutaneous drug delivery through use of dissolvable microneedles or ultrasonic waves are emerging as a pain-free method for drug administration. Delivering drugs through the skin is an appealing route for drug administration as it enables good drug bioavailability which is essentially useful for wound healing, pain relief, and treatment of skin cancers. Furthermore, subcutaneous drug delivery offers less systemic toxicity and is more local, comfortable, and controllable. For example, researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology are developing a wearable patch that uses ultrasonic waves for targeted, painless drug delivery through the skin for treating a variety of skin conditions.

Current roadblocks and the path ahead

Concerns related to unauthorised access to patients’ health data can significantly impact the adoption of next generation wearables. Insecure wireless connectivity as well as cloud storage of patients’ vital information can make them vulnerable to cyberattacks. Use of multi-layer security framework in the next generation wearables that uses automated tools to quickly detect any potential attempts to gain unauthorised access to patients’ data or device controls can help in preventing sophisticated attacks. Furthermore, deployment of wearable biometric security that allows only authorised users to access patients’ data or device functions using their unique physiological characteristics can also help in reducing cybersecurity risks.

Issues related to limited battery life are preventing the use of these devices for longer durations. To overcome this challenge, deployment of different energy harvesting mechanisms such as triboelectric energy, or biofuel that can harness energy from different sources including patients’ motion, or body fluids can be considered to power these devices. Researchers at the University of North Texas have developed a wearable sensor that generates electrical energy when bodily fluids repeatedly come into contact with a charged electrode that is, in turn, used to power the device. The shift towards battery-free, self-powered, next generation wearables will truly be a game changer as they will address some of the pertinent issues faced by users such as the battery dying at inconvenient times or the hassle of regularly charging them.

Related: Convergence of point-of-care testing and digital health transform healthcare delivery

Key growth opportunities for next generation wearables

Since the next generation wearables space is highly competitive, and constantly evolving, it is essential that the developers adopt a sustainable monetisation model that drives recurring revenues. Wearable companies can focus on shifting from the current hardware sale model to recurring revenue models like subscriptions related to wearables’ premium features such as advanced analytics, and personalised coaching, which can deliver more consistent and reliable revenue streams for them.

Through the use of predictive analytics, past and current patient health data obtained from these devices can be used to gain a comprehensive understanding of disease patterns, population health trends, and treatment outcomes. This vital information can be used by the government to draft proactive public health measures and evidence-based healthcare policies in order to effectively tackle future epidemics. Furthermore, the digital biomarkers generated from the next generation wearables can be used by healthcare providers to predict patient readmissions and accordingly deliver appropriate therapies for given patients at the appropriate time. Payers can employ digital biomarkers to further stratify patients and build personalised treatment plans, including prior authorisation schedules.

Device manufacturers should also partner with health insurance companies to offer discounts on health insurance premiums or other incentives to patients using these devices. This approach offers a win-win deal for the patients as they save on health insurance premiums while also maintaining good health.

Concluding thoughts: ushering personalised, holistic healthcare through next generation wearables

At present, next generation wearables are empowering patients with knowledge, tools, to improve their health. They are also aiding healthcare professionals in the early detection of diseases, enabling them to provide timely, personalised treatments to patients. In the future, they will cease to be mere devices and will act as catalysts of global healthcare renaissance, heralding an era of proactive and effective health management.

Neeraj Nitin Jadhav is an Industry Analyst, TechVision, Frost & Sullivan.

Back to Technology

Beyond the pillars of quality assurance and ethical integrity, how can we harness innovation to accelerate the delivery of crucial pathology results, thereby offering patients optimised diagnosis and treatment? This was the core issue addressed during a panel session at the Anatomic Pathology Conference at Medlab West Africa 2024 in Nigeria.

During the session titled, ‘Application of Digital Pathology to Enhance Turnaround Time (TAT) in West African Anatomic Pathology Laboratories’, Ifechi Ezekobe, Chief Medical Laboratory Scientist, Lagos University Teaching Hospital, alongside Godwin Avhioro, Professor of Histochemistry and Histopathology at Delta State University, Nigeria, and moderator Daniel Osiagwu, Professor of the Department of Anatomic and Molecular Pathology at the College of Medicine, University of Lagos, discussed the need to integrate efficient and economical practices into the medical framework. Drawing a parallel with promptly responding to alarms, Ezekobe stressed the adverse effects of prolonged wait times for diagnostic outcomes, where patients may progress to advanced disease stages before receiving necessary follow-up care, thereby diminishing treatment efficacy.

Central discussions revolved around the infrastructural impediments to technology adoption in the region, the urgent necessity for staff training and capacity building, regulatory considerations, collaborative opportunities, and the profound impact on patient care. Moderated by Prof. Osiagwu, the panel session emphasised the need for innovative solutions tailored to local infrastructure constraints, emphasising education, regulatory frameworks, and collaborative partnerships as pivotal in surmounting barriers and harnessing the potential of digital pathology to enhance diagnostic efficiency and ultimately preserve lives in West Africa.

Adebiyi Mutiyat Olufunmilayo, a representative of the pathology department at Federal Medical Centre Abeokuta, echoed the sentiment that the introduction of digital pathology marked a crucial stride in addressing these challenges, ensuring timely access to vital information for patients' healthcare journeys. She shared: "The urgency of incorporating efficient and cost-effective practices into the medical system to minimise patient waiting times is very important. You can imagine a patient might have already gotten into stage four of cancer while awaiting laboratory results. the treatment or anything will not be efficient at that time anymore.”

Expanding on this, a subsequent panel delved into the significance of incorporating novel immunohistochemistry panels in early cancer diagnosis. This was moderated by histopathology scientist Dr. Jonathan Madukwe, with panelists including pathologists Dr. Izuchukwu Achusi, Habibat Audu, and Prof. Charles Anunobi.

Dr. Madukwe emphasised: “Technology, especially digital pathology, has revolutionised medical practice by reshaping mindsets and enhancing diagnostic precision, opening avenues for personalised treatment and therapeutic innovation." He delved into the evolution of diagnostic procedures, highlighting technology's role in uncovering previously overlooked diagnoses and enhancing service delivery.

Missed the chance to attend this year? Register for Medlab West Africa 2025 for free and gain exclusive access to the region's biggest healthcare industry event. 

Back to Laboratory

Shaping the era of point-of-care with the best tools and methodologies was the centre of focus on Day 2 of Medlab West Africa as Dr. Japhet Erasmus Aisoni, Lecturer at Global Health and Infectious Diseases Control Institute, Nasarawa State University in Keffi, Nigeria, delivered a keynote address to highlight this phenomenon.

He stressed on the need to leverage new technologies to provide proper assistance to patients at critical points. While there is a shift towards point-of-care, it is important to understand this transformation and address concerns about job displacement due to technological advancements. He also urged a focus on best practices and upgrading resources to navigate this shift successfully. “We must move from the bench towards technology,” he stated, shedding light on the need to embrace point-of-care technologies for rapid diagnostics and data-driven decision-making.

Following these foundational insights, a panel comprising Dr. Donald Ibe Ofili, Director, and Deputy Registrar, MLSCN Accreditation Service, Medical Laboratory Science Council of Nigeria, Dr. Elochukwu Adibo, National President of the Guild of Private Medical Laboratory Directors of Nigeria, and Dr. Aisoni, along with moderator and Medical Parasitologist Chimere O. Agomo, brought diverse expertise to the discussion.

The panel went into more detail about possibilities and challenges with point-of-care testing. To guarantee the precision and dependability of medical devices, particularly in point-of-care testing, Dr. Adibo pressed home the regulatory obstacles and the necessity for clear regulations.

He emphasised the importance of professional oversight to prevent errors and ensure patient safety. He added: “Let's not be too excited about personal testing. Let's also be concerned about the credibility, reliability, and safety of these equipment. Data should be out there that sets standards for POCTs across companies.”

Additionally, he cautioned against overreliance on point-of-care testing results without proper validation and supervision, citing potentially fatal consequences. "There is a lot of poor strength and political will to let the people that should do their work, to do their work," he noted, underlining the need for regulatory support and accountability.

Dr. Francisca Obiageri Nwaokorie, Medical Microbiologist and Lecturer at the University of Lagos, Nigeria, discussed changes in data interpretation, information management, and ethics in molecular testing and genetic counseling. She pointed out the rapid evolution of technology and its impact on understanding genetic traits and diseases, particularly through advanced sequencing techniques like multiple array gene sequencing.

Moreover, she highlighted the significance of point-of-care testing for increased accessibility and reliability, alongside emerging technologies such as HTRAC and CRISPR for pathogen detection and gene alteration. "In the future, you will need to find where to operate, and when you do, you will need to find where and who to collaborate with," she advised and stressed on the importance of adaptation and collaboration in the ever-evolving landscape of healthcare technology.

The subsequent panel session on Future Molecular Diagnostics and New Diagnostic Technologies, moderated by Yakubu Ngwai, Professor of Pharmaceutical Microbiology, Nasarawa State University, Keffi, further explored these themes. Dr. Aminu Suleiman, Associate Director Laboratory Services, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research (WRAIR), USA Embassy in Nigeria, and Dr. Veronica Nnenna Victor Enya, Deputy Director Laboratory Services, Department of Public Health and Epidemiology, Nigerian Institute of Medical Research, Lagos, shared insights into future diagnostic technologies and molecular diagnostics, highlighting the potential for transformative advancements in healthcare.

In conclusion, the discussions underscored the critical importance of embracing technological advancements in shaping the future of healthcare. By leveraging new tools and methodologies, healthcare professionals can enhance patient care, improve diagnostic accuracy, encouraging a continuous learning culture among professionals especially with the intersection of technology and laboratory science while ultimately advancing the field of medicine.

Missed the chance to attend this year? Register for Medlab West Africa 2025 for free and gain exclusive access to the region's biggest healthcare industry event. 

Back to Laboratory

Back to Laboratory

West Africa is emerging as a stimulating and fertile ground for novel concepts within laboratory settings. It represents a convergence point where significant discoveries confront formidable challenges, presenting numerous prospects for remarkable advancements. Scientists in this region engage in pioneering and excellent research endeavours, yet the region grapples with substantial challenges such as insufficient resources and financial constraints.

Notwithstanding these hurdles, substantial opportunities await exploitation. Collaborative efforts among scientists leveraging cutting-edge technology hold the potential to revolutionise global scientific practices. The exploration of laboratories in West Africa underscores the region’s commendable achievements, resilience in facing adversities, and their pursuit of groundbreaking discoveries capable of instigating transformative changes on a global scale.

Related: How does Africa stand in the medical tourism industry?

The Africa In Vitro Diagnostics (IVD) market will grow at a CAGR of 4.8 per cent from 2022 to 2029, reaching US$1.78 billion in 2029 according to an analysis report from Research and Markets. This is a pointer that in West Africa, laboratory equipment and supplies are in high demand.: 

Speaking to Kenneth Okolie, CEO of SynLabs, a state-of-the-art laboratory chain in the Nigerian market in an interview, he shares: “Since 2004, Nigeria’s labs have changed a lot. At first, we relied on other countries for tests because of costs and not enough experts. Then COVID-19 hit. It pushed us to handle our problems on our own.

The advent of COVID-19 served as a catalyst, thrusting us into an adaptability to confront local obstacles head-on. This pivotal moment propelled our industry towards self-reliance, birthing a remarkable proliferation of local laboratory services. We significantly curtailed our reliance on outsourcing, carving a path towards autonomy. This increased collaboration — both domestic and international — fostering trust among researchers and nurturing avenues for groundbreaking scientific advancements.”

Amidst these promising advancements, multifaceted challenges create a storm in the industry. These encompass regulatory fragmentation, the ease of establishing laboratories with low entry barriers, and economic hurdles such as erratic power supply and the financial strain on patients reliant on out-of-pocket payments.

The laboratory market in West Africa is on a forward-ever movement now. Regarding opportunities available in the industry and what lies ahead. Some technologies to be expected in the region in 2024 will be more portable and rapid diagnostic tools for diseases such as malaria, HIV/AIDS, and tuberculosis are expected to become more prevalent. These devices offer quick and accurate results, enabling timely intervention and treatment. Laboratories may increasingly adopt renewable energy sources, such as solar power, to ensure continuous operation and reduce dependency on traditional energy grids. There will increased genomic technologies enabling laboratories to conduct more extensive genomic sequencing which will give way for personalised medicine.

Related: Advancement of women's health in the African region

Kenneth Okolie also envisaged a forward-bound trajectory for the industry, foreseeing increased investments, streamlined operations, tighter regulations, and potential advancements in the national health insurance system. However, he reiterated that the pace of progress hinged significantly on economic variables, particularly substantial improvements in power supply.

Despite these hurdles, promising opportunities exist to reshape the laboratory landscape. Collaborations between local and international institutions provide avenues for knowledge exchange, capacity building, and funding access. Modernising laboratory infrastructure, providing cutting-edge equipment, and emphasising STEM education can nurture a new generation of scientists, fostering innovation and sustainability.

Governments and policymakers play a crucial role in enabling scientific research by prioritising science and technology in national agendas and increasing funding allocations. Establishing regional research networks facilitates collaboration, enhancing the exchange of ideas and resources. 

Exciting developments are underway with more in store at Medlab West Africa 2024. Visit the official website and register for free to be a part of the buzz.

Back to Management

Back to Management

Building on the first day's excitement, the second day of Medic West Africa kicked off with talks centred on empowering the value chain sector. Babagana Umara Zulum, Governor of Borno State, was the first to deliver a keynote address at the ‘Empowering Sub-National Healthcare: Pathways to Unlocking Value Chain Potential' held as part of the Healthcare Excellence Forum, followed by commissioners of health each representing their respective state in Nigeria.

The discussions centred around leveraging lessons from diverse sectors like technology, agriculture, and finance to innovate healthcare delivery. Besides introducing attendees on various ways to harness natural resources such as renewable energy to ensure sustainable healthcare, leaders also shared successful initiatives aimed at improving healthcare on a scalable level, and further identified common principles and strategies for innovative delivery.

Samson Fatoki, Deputy Director — Pharma Operations, Drug Evaluation and Research Directorate at NAFDAC, delivered a keynote address at the Leaders Forum on behalf of Professor Mojisola Adeyeye, Director General of NAFDAC. He talked about strengthening regulatory oversight for Nigeria's pharmaceutical industry through collaboration with local industry players, governmental agencies, and academic institutions. Highlighting key priorities such as regulatory compliance, global quality standards, and policy strengthening, he emphasised the need for continual improvement and collaboration to enhance the pharmaceutical industry in Nigeria.

Missed the chance to attend this year? Register for Medic West Africa 2025 for free and gain exclusive access to the region's biggest healthcare industry event. 

Back to Management

The highly awaited Medic West Africa show commenced with a fervent inaugural ceremony on April 17. Dr. Salma Ibrahim Anas, Special Advisor — Health to President of Nigeria Bola Tinubu, inaugurated Day 1 of the show and set the stage for what promised to be a transformative event in the region.

In her keynote address, Dr. Anas shared that the presidential plan is set towards the transfer of skills and technologies to achieve the production of vaccines, medical equipment, pharmaceuticals, and other medical supplies while employing a multisectoral approach.

Healthcare facilities in the US and much of Europe consider medical oxygen an entitlement. Oxygen resources fluctuate easily to meet patient needs, and systems, auxiliary units, and even tertiary backups ensure oxygen flows as needed. It is never a question that oxygen is available at a patient’s bedside or during a surgical procedure. Stored liquid or bulk oxygen, onsite oxygen plants, and filled cylinders ensure ready supplies as well as a mobility and availability advantage in patient care.

In more remote areas, a Pressure Swing Adsorption (PSA) or Vacuum Pressure Swing Adsorption (VPSA) oxygen plant provides an important foundation to oxygen delivery even though it may still be considered a nice-to-have option. Instead, pre-filled cylinders delivered by a gas supplier or hospital partner may be the primary and only means of acquiring oxygen for facilities in less-developed parts of the world.

Not only are these facilities ultimately forced to pay a premium for oxygen cylinder by cylinder instead of being able to invest in smarter and more effective options, but they also face a range of supply chain challenges that simply do not happen in the developed world. If the weather takes out a road or a rebel insurgence prevents the safe passage of hospital deliveries – or a global pandemic lands unexpectedly – patients may die. COVID-19 put a spotlight on the problem, and the Global Fund and others are stepping in to help solve the challenge – addressing a slate of real-world factors that weigh heavily on onsite oxygen infrastructure.

Related: General anaesthesia and sedation in EMS settings

Compressors are key to LMICs’ O2 infrastructure

Even if a PSA or VPSA is implemented, healthcare facilities in low- to middle-income countries (LMICs) face any number of risks in accessing medical oxygen. The power grid is unreliable, and direct pipelines from the oxygen plant into the hospital are highly susceptible to failure due to routine power interruptions.

Remote and rural environments commonly face unsustainable power grids and are all too familiar with power outages occurring at daily intervals. Any oxygen generator running on grid power is immediately affected – and while diesel generators often provide backup power during grid outages, they are not always sized to meet all of a hospital’s needs. Administrators might have to choose between generating oxygen and keeping operating room equipment up and running. Unlike more urban areas, local militia or unofficial forces may control the supply of diesel, siphoning it for their own purposes or limiting its delivery, increasing the jeopardy of grid outages for rural healthcare facilities.

An onsite oxygen compressor addresses many of these risks and must be considered an essential component of any oxygen plant, particularly in LMICs. Like other systems, power is required to run the compressor. However, its capacity for onsite cylinder filling creates a foundation for a ready oxygen supply.

The ideal sizing of an oxygen plant must consider supporting the average consumption rate, and then be deployed to deliver slightly higher volumes. In this scenario, a system supporting facility needs of 500 litres of oxygen per minute should be strategically programmed to generate 700 litres per minute.

The system’s integrated compressor would designate the spare 200 liters per minute to cylinder filling capacity, routing oxygen to fill 10, 20, 100, or more tanks depending on the facility’s size, needs, and resources. Tanks filled and stored are accessible on demand — a power source is not needed, and once connected, oxygen in a high-pressure tank just flows.

Related: Diagnosing the future of sustainability in healthcare

Flexible, onsite cylinder filling is essential in LMIC healthcare settings. Even during a power outage, high-pressure cylinders can provide a continuous supply of oxygen to patients who require it for critical care, respiratory support, or emergencies. The resulting oxygen portability is particularly beneficial during power crises, ensuring continuous oxygen therapy even when patients may require ambulance transport or when medical procedures are performed in field areas without a power supply.

Oxygen independence means hospitals can reduce their reliance on external sources, maintain their oxygen reserves, and mitigate the risk of supply shortages or disruptions. These are critical improvements in the LMIC realm and can be directly tied to onsite cylinder-filling capabilities. It is a first-world advantage that must apply globally, potentially lowering healthcare operational costs over the long term and ensuring consistent delivery of safe and reliable oxygen to patients in need.

Doug Richmond is the sales manager at RIX Industries.

Back to Management