Special Assistant (State Minister), Ministry of Health and Family Welfare Professor Dr Md Sayedur Rahman said on Tuesday there is still a shortage in access to oxygen in the hospitals.

He said this at Bangladesh Oxygen Summit held at the Ruposhi Bangla Grand Ballroom of InterContinental in the city.

At the conference, Chief Guest Prof. Dr Md. Sayedur Rahman said, “There is still a shortage in access to oxygen, but the government is actively working to address it. We are working to establish a national oxygen network and to declare oxygen as an essential medicine. Achieving self-sufficiency in medical oxygen is closely linked to national security.”

In his presidential address, icddr,b Executive Director Dr Tahmeed Ahmed said, Bangladesh has made significant progress in oxygen production, but much work remains.

"To ensure a reliable supply, strong governance, better coordination across sectors, and sustained investment in system-wide monitoring are essential. Good governance in the oxygen ecosystem can mean the difference between life and death. To sustain this progress, continuous investment in research and innovation for affordable solutions and evidence-based policy is crucial," he said.

Saying that Oxygen is not merely a commodity; it is a public service, Director General of Health Services Prof. Dr Abu Jafar commended icddr,b scientists for providing research-based data to support national and global health policymaking.

Speakers also said access to medical oxygen is a cornerstone of modern healthcare, yet ensuring its reliable availability remains a critical challenge. The COVID-19 pandemic exposed the inequities in access to medical oxygen and emphasised its critical role as a lifesaving therapy for people of all ages, both within the country and worldwide.

Evidence also indicates that the acute medical and surgical need for oxygen is increasing, while a significant gap in oxygen coverage persists.

In this context, greater investment in strengthening oxygen systems holds the potential to save millions of lives and ensure stronger preparedness for future pandemics.

The event presented global evidence, key recommendations, and research priorities using the Lancet Global Health Commission Report on Medical Oxygen Security alongside Bangladesh-specific findings.