“We aim to fill this evidence gap by modeling the impact and cost-effectiveness of scaling up routine pulse oximetry and oxygen systems on childhood acute lower respiratory infection outcomes in Malawi, using a new individual-based model incorporating disease dynamics and health system interactions.”
Oxygen is a life-saving resource for a wide range of health conditions. Yet in many low-resource settings, hospitals and clinics struggle to provide it consistently due to limited equipment, infrastructure, and trained personnel. Build Health International (BHI) works to bridge these gaps and ensure oxygen reaches patients who need it.
A study with the Global Oxygen Alliance (GO2AL) , and co-authored by BHI’s Director of Oxygen Engineering, Eric Buckley, reveals the impact and cost-effectiveness of pulse oximetry and oxygen for children with respiratory infections in Malawi. The study shows that expanding access to oxygen and pulse oximetry in Malawi could prevent 28% of deaths from acute lower respiratory infections and avert 71,000 disability- adjusted life-years annually—all while being highly cost-effective.
Eric Buckley’s expertise has been instrumental in bridging technical solutions with real-world applications, ensuring oxygen systems are not only implemented but also sustainable and impactful. By demonstrating the power of oxygen access to save lives, this study further demonstrates the importance of BHI’s mission to advance global health equity.