Synopsis

Medical oxygen has been around for more than 200 years. It is a life-saving treatment we take for granted. Sadly this is not the case globally. The COVID-19 pandemic brought to the surface long-standing deficiencies. Images of patients gasping for oxygen reminded us that even today, 70% of patients who need oxygen globally do not receive it. How do we understand the different facets of this problem, and what can we do about it?

Speakers

Associate Professor Hamish Graham is a General Paediatrician and co-Chair of the Lancet Global Health Commission on Medical Oxygen. With clinical and research experience in Sub-Saharan Africa, his research focuses on improving access to and quality of respiratory care for critically ill newborns and children.

Dr Rami Subhi is a paediatrician and research fellow with the Oxygen Team, International Child Heath. He is completing his PhD on understanding systems and clinical care practices for acutely unwell children in Uganda and Nigeria.

Mikael Burhin is a PICU nurse and research nurse with the Oxygen Team, International Child Health. His current work aims to understand quality of care, and support clinical education. He has previously implemented a bachelor of child health nursing in the Solomon Islands, and managed a nutrition program with MSF.

Dr Shiraz Badurdeen is a consultant neonatologist at the Mercy Hospital for Women and the inaugural Melbourne Children’s Global Health Postdoctoral Research Fellow. As an early-career researcher, he aims to make oxygen therapy safer and more effective for critically unwell newborns across diverse settings. His research focuses on personalising oxygen therapy to fit specific pathophysiological contexts.