This report helps donors and buyers in public health better understand the offerings of respiratory equipment suppliers based in sub-Saharan Africa.
The document provides market insights into local and regional distributors who can provide quality products and after-sales support to alleviate procurement challenges during demand surges, such as are currently happening with the COVID-19 response in the region.
About 41 percent of COVID-19 patients, and in severe cases over 60 percent, need oxygen to support their breathing. However, in sub-Saharan Africa, access to oxygen–including the production and delivery of oxygen to health facilities, as well as diagnosis and treatment—is often limited or unavailable.
Procuring products from local distributors can help buyers respond quickly to oxygen needs, including using nearby warehouses to ship supplies, reducing lead times, and navigating domestic import and customs clearance processes. Local workforces may also be available to provide after-sales services like installation, maintenance, and repair.
This report was compiled by PATH and CHAI as part of our larger COVID-19 respiratory care project. We will continue to build on the report in the coming months. If your company supplies respiratory equipment, has a presence in sub-Saharan Africa, and would like to be considered for inclusion, please complete this short survey. If you are aware of relevant companies that could be featured, or have an inquiry, please contact oxygen@path.org.
Authors: CHAI, PATH
Last updated: July 2021
