The government is preparing to classify oxygen as an essential medicine in recognition of its critical role in healthcare and patient treatment.

Professor Sayedur Rahman, special assistant to the chief adviser on health affairs, shared the update this afternoon.

Speaking at the Bangladesh Oxygen Summit in Dhaka, Prof Rahman said that oxygen will be added to the updated list of essential drugs, which is currently under revision.

He further noted that the authorities are working to restore inactive oxygen plants and to guarantee consistent oxygen supplies across upazila-level health facilities.

The summit — jointly hosted by icddr,b, the Lancet Global Health Commission on Medical Oxygen Security, Every Breath Counts, and Unitaid — marked the first collaborative event of its kind in Bangladesh.