WHO hands over medical gas analyzers to the MoHP

Kathmandu, Bagmati province - WHO Country Office for Nepal has handed over two medical gas analyzers to the Ministry of Health and Population (MoHP), with support from the WHO South East Asia Regional Office, to support Nepal’s efforts to strengthen oxygen quality assurance systems nationwide. This is an important addition to Nepal’s technical capacity to conduct standardized assessments of medical oxygen quality, and marks an important step in strengthening the implementation of Nepal’s National Oxygen Roadmap. The equipment is capable of assessing key oxygen quality parameters, including oxygen concentration, moisture levels and trace contaminants (CO2, CO, NO, NO2, SO2 and oil) in alignment with WHO Oxygen Monograph standards, helping ensure that patients receive safe, high-quality oxygen. Reliable access to medical oxygen is critical for emergency care, surgical procedures, maternal and newborn health services, and intensive care, particularly in managing infections from respiratory pathogens with pandemic potential, such as influenza, SARS-CoV-2 and MERS-CoV. The initiative also builds on lessons learned from COVID-19,  which underscored the need for stronger systems to routinely verify the safety and quality of medical oxygen across health facilities. WHO will continue supporting the MoHP by deploying the analyzers in designated health facilities, orienting biomedical engineers on oxygen quality verification, and assisting with data analysis and standards development, helping expand reliable oxygen services across Nepal.