Preventing Pediatric Deaths from Hypoxaemia in Northern Nigeria

Every year, thousands of children in Nigeria die from low blood oxygen levels, deaths that are completely preventable with proper oxygen therapy. We're changing that by equipping hospitals with the tools they need to detect and treat hypoxaemia.

The Problem We are Solving

Children Are Dying from Undetected Hypoxaemia

The Gap

Hypoxaemia—low blood oxygen levels—is a common complication of pneumonia and other respiratory illnesses in children. Without early detection and oxygen therapy, these children face mortality rates 7 times higher than those with normal oxygen levels.

In Nigeria, only 1 in 5 children needing oxygen receive it.

The solution is straightforward: pulse oximeters detect hypoxaemia, and oxygen concentrators provide life-saving treatment. But most hospitals in Northern Nigeria lack both.

Before our program launched in Gombe State:

Only 1 of 23 hospitals had functioning pulse oximeters in pediatric wards.

Most facilities had no oxygen delivery systems for pediatric patients

Healthcare workers relied on clinical signs alone, which detect only 57-60% of hypoxaemia cases

Our Two-Tier Approach

We combine diagnostic tools for all facilities with complete oxygen therapy systems for high-volume hospitals

Equip Every Hospital

All 23 secondary hospitals in Gombe State receive pulse oximeters and training for systematic hypoxaemia detection

Install Oxygen Systems

High-volume facilities get solar-powered oxygen concentrators to provide reliable treatment 24/7

Train Healthcare Workers

Comprehensive training on hypoxaemia recognition, pulse oximetry, and oxygen therapy administration

Monitor

& Support

Regular supervision visits, data tracking, and equipment maintenance ensure sustained quality