Afghanistan inaugurates a new oxygen facility at Indira Gandhi Child Health Hospital in Kabul

The new oxygen plant, with a capacity to produce up to 210 oxygen cylinders daily, will provide a reliable and consistent supply of oxygen to the hospital’s 45 ICU-beds as well as supporting nearby health facilities during emergencies.

“This oxygen plant is a lifeline. It will ensure that patients, especially the most vulnerable, have the oxygen they need to survive and recover,” said WHO Representative and Head of Mission in Afghanistan Dr Edwin Ceniza Salvador. “WHO is especially grateful for our strong partnership with the EU, whose financial support made this project possible. Together, we are committed to building a stronger, more robust Afghan health system that leaves no one behind.”

Oxygen is essential in health care, especially for treating respiratory conditions and providing critical care for vulnerable groups such as newborns, pregnant women and the elderly. With an in-house oxygen system, oxygen can be delivered directly to patients through piping, reducing delays and improving the quality of care.

The new plant enhances the hospital’s overall capacity. It reduces dependence on external oxygen suppliers, leading to major cost savings and improved operational efficiency. Most importantly, it will help save lives, prevent avoidable deaths and strengthen the health system’s ability to respond to future health emergencies.

To ensure safe and effective operation, WHO will provide ongoing support and training to designated hospital staff, equipping them with the skills needed to manage the plant, which has been designed for minimum maintenance, over the long term. 

“This oxygen plant is a powerful example of how our partnership is turning commitment into concrete impact,” said Chargée d’Affaires, Delegation of the EU to Afghanistan Veronika Boskovic Pohar. “For every cylinder produced a life can be saved, a newborn can breathe a little easier. The EU stands with the Afghan people, and we are proud to support initiatives that deliver real, lifesaving results where they are needed most.”

WHO, with EU financial support, has also provided 4 generators and a pediatric bronchoscopy machine to Indira Gandhi Child Health Hospital. The provision of a reliable backup power source ensures uninterrupted operations and patient safety at a time when there are frequent public power outages in Kabul. The new generators are crucial for life support systems, critical medical equipment and essential hospital functions, while the pediatric bronchoscopy machine will significantly enhance the hospital’s ability to diagnose and treat respiratory conditions in young patients, offering a better chance of recovery.

The inauguration of the oxygen plant and the introduction of the generators and pediatric bronchoscopy machine marks a major milestone in improving health care services in Afghanistan, especially in the areas of emergency and maternal and child health. These efforts underscore the value of international cooperation in addressing urgent health needs and building a stronger, healthier future for all.

WHO is proud to partner with the EU and expresses its sincere thanks for their generous contribution which played a crucial role in bringing this project to life. Our continued partnership is making a lasting impact on health care and saving lives across Afghanistan.