In this pandemic we have learnt that the most precious drug we have in medicine, is oxygen. Many patients with COVID-19 who need to be admitted to hospital for oxygen go on to make a full recovery. However, in health systems lacking in resources and capacity, there often isn't a reliable supply of oxygen available in all hospitals. In this pandemic, the large number of patients with COVID-19 has meant that many of even the biggest hospitals in low- and middle-income countries, have become critically low in oxygen and have been unable to provide it to all those patients that need it, leading to deaths.

Zambia is a country of nearly 18 million people, most of whom are young people and children. Limitations in healthcare systems, resources and economy mean that essential drugs and resources are often not available. In Zambia today, there is currently only one doctor for every 7,776 people.

Zambia is currently experiencing its largest surge of COVID-19 cases to date with more patients needing hospital than ever before in this pandemic. Oxygen supplies are dangerously low. We are working in partnership with the Society of Anaesthetists of Zambia to procure oxygen concentrators, increase oxygen delivery equipment for example masks, and to provide training for all healthcare staff improving understanding of respiratory failure and oxygen delivery systems.

In this campaign, £225 buys an oxygen concentrator and a pulse oximeter, as well as oxygen delivery devices for 15 people. Each oxygen concentrator includes access to vital training for Zambian healthcare staff on how to maintain it and is expected to last for more than ten years, helping critically unwell patients for long after the pandemic.