GHSC-PSM, JHPIEGO, and Mozambique’s Department of Infrastructure and Hospital Equipment (DIEH) have been collaborating to ensure the long-term sustainability of new medical oxygen equipment donated by USAID and other funders for the COVID-19 response.
With a decrease in serious COVID-19 cases, medical oxygen can support neo-natal units, emergency rooms, and other services for patients with severe respiratory conditions. However, in Mozambique and elsewhere, equipment donated for COVID-19 emergency response can risk falling idle due to a lack of planning and implementation for maintenance and upkeep.
Recognizing the lack of capacity and knowledge of local clinical and technical staff in the management and maintenance of oxygen equipment, GHSC-PSM created three courses, including instructional videos: One for hospital technicians and clinical staff on the operation, use, and basic maintenance of oxygen concentrators; a more advanced, technical version for provincial maintenance staff; and one on maintenance and operation of pressure-swing adsorption (PSA) plants for PSA operations and technicians.
GHSC-PSM worked with JHPIEGO to adapt the courses for online access on the Mozambican Telesaude portal, which is managed by the Ministry of Health (MOH), with technical support of JHPIEGO. Anyone wanting training can select and take the appropriate training modules anytime and receive a certificate for successful completion. As part of efforts to refine the training program, a group of provincial technicians tested the training modules. Their feedback informed an updated version that will launch soon.
GHSC-PSM helped develop an oxygen equipment management “roadmap” and guide for the Ministry of Health specific to the five types of medical oxygen equipment currently in use: pressure swing adsorption, oxygen concentrators, oxygen ramps and piped oxygen, oxygen cylinders, and liquid oxygen. The 60-page roadmap provides a strategic approach for sound, sustainable management of medical oxygen equipment, including planning, procurement, installation, use, training, maintenance, repair, and disposal. To support the broader healthcare system, the roadmap can be used as a model for developing similar approaches for managing other types of medical equipment.
“Elevating healthcare calls for a proactive, comprehensive approach to managing medical oxygen equipment, involving collaboration, substantial investments, and a focus on the entire equipment lifecycle for lasting impact and sustainability. This requires a change of mindset from simply procuring equipment to managing it over its life cycle," said Jan de Jong, Senior Logistics Advisor.
