In a move that promises to save countless lives, Mbagathi Level 5 Hospital has commissioned a new oxygen production plant, a decisive step towards self-sufficiency for one of Nairobi’s key medical facilities. The KES 11 million installation is now generating medical-grade oxygen on-site, piping it directly to wards and critical care units.

This development is more than just a hospital upgrade; it’s a critical intervention for Nairobi families who rely on public healthcare. For years, the uncertainty of oxygen supply has been a life-or-death gamble. The new plant ends the hospital's reliance on external suppliers, a dependency that cost the facility an estimated KES 4 million every quarter.

Ending the Wait for a Breath

The impact on patient care is expected to be immediate. Hospital CEO Dr. Alexander Irungu emphasized that the on-site production will eliminate dangerous delays in treatment. “This means patients will no longer have to wait or worry when they urgently need oxygen,” Dr. Irungu noted. “Doctors and nurses will now respond faster during emergencies, and more lives will be saved because oxygen will always be available.”

The project, delivered in partnership with Amref Health Africa, is a significant boost for an emergency care system under immense pressure. Public hospitals across Nairobi frequently grapple with long queues, staff shortages, and overburdened referral centres like Kenyatta National Hospital. A 2023 government census found that a mere 5.8% of all health facilities in Kenya had dedicated accident and emergency units, highlighting the systemic strain.

A National Oxygen Deficit

The situation at Mbagathi reflects a wider, national crisis. Kenya’s healthcare system faces a staggering oxygen shortfall. Key details from the recently launched Kenya Medical Oxygen Roadmap 2025–2030 paint a grim picture:

• Massive Supply Gap: Kenya’s annual medical oxygen requirement is estimated at 64.2 billion litres, yet the current national production capacity is just 12 billion litres—less than 20% of the total need.
• Limited Infrastructure: Only 17% of health facilities in the country have any form of on-site oxygen generation, forcing most to depend on expensive and unreliable cylinder deliveries.
• The Human Cost: The World Health Organization notes that globally, only one in five children with pneumonia in low- and middle-income countries receives the oxygen they need to survive.

This national strategy, backed by a KES 37 billion investment plan, aims to bridge this gap over the next five years. The Mbagathi plant is an early and tangible success in this broader fight.

For the average Kenyan, this means a small but significant increase in the assurance of care. The savings from the plant, Dr. Irungu confirmed, will be redirected to other essential health services within the hospital. “For many families, this plant brings comfort and hope,” he added. “It will help children, mothers, and all patients who depend on oxygen to breathe and recover.”