In West Africa and around the world, scaling up access to oxygen is one of the most effective, and critical, actions that decision-makers can take to improve health outcomes, particularly for vulnerable populations such as newborns, children, and pregnant women. The COVID-19 pandemic has further emphasized the vital role of respiratory care for patients struggling to breathe. Respiratory care requires investment in strengthening health care delivery systems, including supply management and provider training.

This brief summarizes Senegal’s and Burkina Faso’s efforts toward establishing a comprehensive and sustainable oxygen system to address respiratory care needs beyond COVID-19, and demonstrates the type of support PATH can provide in this process.