Published : 04 Oct 2026, 06:41 PM
Updated : 04 Oct 2026, 06:41 PM
Independent University, Bangladesh (IUB) has brought policymakers, health experts and researchers together to tackle one of Bangladesh’s most critical healthcare challenges: ensuring safe, reliable and equitable access to medical oxygen.
The Bangladesh Oxygen Summit 2026 was held at the university’s campus on Oct 3-4 under the theme “Journey to Achieve Equitable Access to Medical Oxygen”, IUB said in a media statement.
The summit was organised by the Bangladesh Oxygen Network in collaboration with IUB's Center for Health, Implementation and Policy Sciences (CHIPS), IUB said.
The second day featured a high-level policy dialogue attended by State Minister for Health and Family Welfare Dr MA Muhit as chief guest and chaired by IUB Vice Chancellor Prof M Tamim.
Muhit said the government has recognised oxygen therapy as an essential health service and is undertaking a project in the current fiscal year to establish an integrated medical oxygen management system in at least 20 districts, according to IUB.
The government plans to gradually expand the system across the country in the next fiscal year, while also developing an oxygen roadmap for 2026-2030, he said.
Muhit added that the research, data and recommendations presented at the summit would contribute to the development of the roadmap, IUB’s Media and Public Relations said.
The policy dialogue brought together representatives from the Bangladesh Medical Research Council, Directorate General of Health Services, Institute of Epidemiology, Disease Control and Research, Bangladesh Lung Foundation and other health and research organisations, according to the university.
The opening day featured scientific sessions on medical oxygen needs, production capacity and supply, as well as oxygen education, research, measurement and innovation.
IUB issued the sessions that brought together experts from government agencies, research institutions, universities and healthcare organisations to discuss challenges surrounding the country's medical oxygen system.
A special session titled "Meet the Oxygen Champions" was also held on the first day, featuring public health experts and chaired by Prof Dr Sayeba Akhter, president of the Bangladesh Medical Research Council.
The summit focused on the availability, quality, safety, production and supply of medical oxygen, with participants discussing coordinated measures to strengthen the system and improve access across Bangladesh, IUB highlighted.
