Oxygen as a Service (O2aaS): The Heroes Behind Every Breath
This World Oxygen Day, FREO2 Foundation proudly honours our oxygen heroes; dedicated people who are critical at every stage of our Oxygen as a Service (O2aaS) journey. From the innovators behind the oxygen technology to the nurses administering oxygen therapy on the frontlines, these heroes work together to ensure a steady flow of life-saving oxygen.
THE INNOVATORS: WHERE OXYGEN BEGINS
Meet Dr. Bryn Sobott
In July 2010, Bryn found himself as a PhD student, sitting in a No Limit Symposium at the Nossal Institute for Global Health. It was there that Bryn learned a shocking fact: pneumonia is the single biggest killer of children worldwide and oxygen, a lifesaving medicine, was desperately needed in low-resource settings. Until that moment, Bryn had thought pneumonia was something that mostly affected the elderly, but this revelation sparked a journey that would eventually lead to the founding of FREO2.
To start, Bryn dismantled old oxygen concentrators in his spare time, and discovered something crucial: they didn't need electricity to create oxygen, just compressed air. This insight fueled years of tinkering and development, which eventually led to applying for a Saving Lives at Birth grant and the founding of FREO2 Foundation.
From there, Bryn and a team of experts at the University of Melbourne became innovators in the oxygen space: "we just followed our noses as the problems came up and tried to knock them over," says Bryn. Their key breakthrough was recognizing the need for on-site oxygen production, which led to the development of the FREO2 Low Pressure Oxygen Storage Solution
(LPOS). When the team discovered the importance of bedside oxygen delivery, they responded by creating the FREO2 Oxygen Distribution System (ODS).
However, Bryn says the true oxygen heroes are not the inventors but the local healthcare workers: "it's our teams on the ground, the nurses at Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital - it's the people who dedicate their lives to saving others... and it's our job is to enable them" says Bryn.
THE COUNTRY MANAGERS: ORCHESTRATING THE JOURNEY
Meet Aminah
In Uganda, the implementation of FREO2’s oxygen solutions is in the capable hands of Country Manager Aminah Nanyondo. Transitioning from a career in medical marketing and business development, Aminah's journey embodies her passion for public health and her commitment to ensuring that life-saving oxygen is accessible to all.
Aminah’s responsibilities include conducting baseline assessments to determine where oxygen can have the most significant impact. She collaborates with the Ministry of Health, local governments, health facilities, and NGOs to ensure that FREO2’s Oxygen as a Service (O2aaS) model is effectively implemented. “I fell in love with the work of providing oxygen, especially in remote settings where health facilities are under-resourced,” she shares.
Aminah works tirelessly with the Ugandan Ministry of Health to classify oxygen as an essential medicine, enabling sustainable and equitable access. “Imagine your friend in a village needing oxygen to survive. It’s heartbreaking when people can’t access what we breathe freely,” she reflects
In one incident, Aminah encountered a mother who disconnected her baby from an oxygen machine due to cultural beliefs associating oxygen with death. "In our communities, especially in villages, oxygen is seen as a last resort, something that’s only given when death is near," Aminah explains. The mother believed traditional medicine would be more effective, but after reconnecting the oxygen, the baby’s health improved dramatically.
Aminah is quick to point out that delivering oxygen isn’t just about supplying the gas, it’s about creating a system that ensures its availability, accessibility, and affordability. "I look at oxygen as the fuel in a vehicle," she says. "You can have the fuel, but without the other parts, the car won’t move."
Aminah facilitating a strategic discussion between FREO2 and the Ministry of Health on how we can work together to reduce neonatal mortality in Uganda. Aminah (pictured left) meeting with Dr. Charles Olaro, Director of Health and Curative Services (pictured right).
FREO2’s O2aaS model integrates every component needed to ensure a sustainable oxygen supply. The service model ensures that oxygen is available when and where it is needed, while also maintaining the equipment and training healthcare workers to use it properly.
Aminah believes there is still much work to be done in educating communities about the importance of oxygen. Many people, she says, still view oxygen as something ominous—reserved only for those near death. "Being prescribed oxygen doesn’t mean you’re going to die," she emphasises. "It’s just like any other medication, like paracetamol, that helps you in your treatment."
For Aminah, this mission is deeply personal. "I want everyone to get what I have: the air to breathe and the opportunity to live."
THE TECHNICIANS: ENGINEERS OF RELIABILITY
Meet Hilda
Hilda is a Project Engineer at FREO2, managing the installation and maintenance of 30 oxygen systems across 26 health facilities in Uganda. Her technical expertise ensures these oxygen delivery systems operate optimally, and she is dedicated to training local staff while providing immediate support.
“Ensuring our systems are running smoothly is vital,” Hilda explains. She conducts baseline assessments to determine facility readiness, instals systems, and provides technical support to maximise uptime. With a background in biomedical engineering, Hilda’s passion for healthcare drives her commitment to reliable oxygen access, especially for vulnerable newborns.
Having worked in a neonatal unit, Hilda saw firsthand the urgent need for oxygen to save lives. “For mothers, it means everything; their child’s life hangs in the balance,” she notes.
As a woman in a predominantly male field, Hilda has faced challenges but also embraces the chance to inspire others. “I want to show young girls that they can break barriers and become heroes in whatever career path they choose,” she states. Her presence on-site during installations often surprises onlookers. “People are amazed to see a woman on a ladder. It’s a unique sight,” she laughs. Through her work, Hilda hopes to encourage young girls in Uganda to pursue STEM careers.
Hilda has witnessed transformative changes in healthcare due to FREO2's oxygen systems. She shares a poignant story from a facility in southwestern Uganda that struggled with oxygen supply. “They used to rely on cylinders, which were often in short supply. Now, with our reliable concentrators, they can consistently provide oxygen to patients, especially newborns who need immediate assistance,” she reflects.
Hilda emphasises the importance of oxygen purity levels. “When patients are on oxygen therapy, the purity level is essential. We aim for 93% or higher; otherwise, it can hinder recovery,” she explains. Many health facilities have unmaintained concentrators yielding only 50%-70% purity, comparable to breathing normal air and detrimental to recovery. FREO2 utilises the Oxylink Concentrator, specifically designed for low-resource settings with unstable electricity. It features a robust filtering system that delivers purity levels of 95% and above.
Looking ahead, Hilda is optimistic about oxygen access in Uganda and beyond. “I hope to see more facilities equipped with reliable systems, ensuring no child’s life is lost due to lack of access,” she asserts. “With ongoing innovations, we can improve our systems and better support healthcare providers.”
Hilda believes that tools like the Remote Monitoring Unit will enhance FREO2's services, allowing for real-time tracking and support of oxygen systems, ultimately improving patient outcomes.
THE CLINICAL TRAINERS: EDUCATING FOR IMPROVED CARE
Meet Josephat
Dr. Josephat Anney, a dedicated healthcare professional since 2016, has been instrumental in FREO2’s efforts across Tanzania, particularly in the Mbulu District. His journey with FREO2 began as an advisor, offering vital expertise during the early stages of the project. As the program evolved, Josephat took on the role of Clinical Training Lead, training healthcare workers on oxygen therapy, pulse oximetry, and the operation of FREO2 systems at pilot sites like Dongobesh and Bashnet Health Centres. With his guidance, these centres, among the first in Tanzania to receive FREO2 systems, have become lifelines for patients in need of critical oxygen support.
“Medical oxygen is not just a therapy,” Josephat explains. “It’s a fundamental necessity, as vital as any medicine during emergencies.” In his experience, oxygen often makes the difference between life and death, especially for patients suffering from hypoxia or respiratory failure. Ensuring access to oxygen is synonymous with ensuring survival.
One particularly poignant moment from Josephat’s work involved three children with severe pneumonia. During their treatment, a power outage struck, cutting off oxygen supplied by old concentrators at the hospital. With no fuel for the generator, the situation grew dire. Thanks to quick thinking and a reserve oxygen cylinder from the nearby FREO2 office, their lives were saved. This incident underscored the urgency of installing FREO2 systems, which continue to supply oxygen even when the power goes out. “In my 38 years of healthcare, I’ve seen countless lives saved by oxygen,” Josephat reflects. “It’s as critical as a blood transfusion in saving lives.”
Today, Josephat’s training has led to improved diagnosis, prioritised referrals, and informed discharges at the primary care level. By building capacity within national health systems, the clinical training aspect of O2aaS ensures that oxygen use is both effective and lifesaving. His deep understanding of oxygen’s role in treating respiratory conditions also provides invaluable feedback that helps FREO2 continually improve its systems.
Josephat’s mission aligns with FREO2’s core belief: that every child deserves the right to breathe, live, and thrive. “The need for medical oxygen, especially in rural areas, is growing,” Josephat emphasises. “We must work together; governments, healthcare providers, and communities to ensure no child dies because they couldn’t access oxygen in time.”
Through his dedication, Josephat continues to drive change, raising awareness and advocating for stronger oxygen infrastructure in Tanzania, one health facility at a time.
THE NURSES: FRONTLINE HEROES
Meet Sr. Joyce
Sr Joycelyn Gasapitu Ivulu is a dedicated paediatric nurse at Helena Goldie, a health facility serving the Munda community on a remote island in the Solomon Islands, where she has worked for over five years. A mother of two university students, Joyce now devotes most of her time to the hospital, where she plays a vital role in caring for the island's children.
For Joyce, medical oxygen is a lifeline: "oxygen is lifesaving therapy," she explains. With many children in Munda suffering from pneumonia, asthma, and heart disease, access to reliable oxygen is crucial. Since the installation of the FREO2 system, Joyce and her colleagues can now administer oxygen directly at the bedside, saving precious time: "now we don't have to run to another ward…..it's quicker to give oxygen, so the children are saved," she says. Since March,
81 children have received oxygen through the FREO2 system.
Joyce speaks fondly of a baby in her care who was critically ill for more than two weeks. "We used the FREO2 oxygen system for six to seven days, and we thought we would lose her, but
she came back to life." Now discharged and thriving, the baby holds a special place in Joyce's heart: "she was six months old when she was admitted, and now she's already a year old. I love that little one and am so happy she's doing well."
This World Oxygen Day, Joyce extends her gratitude to her team at Helena Goldie: "I want to thank Dr. Raymond Dickson, our Registered Nurse Aids Siavuru, Jullian, Enock, and my fellow Registered Nurses Violet and Joycelyn".
THE PARTNERS AND ADVOCATES: CHAMPIONS OF ACCESS
Meet our Partners
Dr. Dan, Executive Director for BAMA
FREO2's mission is powered by the unwavering support of global and local partners who champion our cause. From implementation to advocacy, these dedicated partners amplify our efforts to make oxygen access a reality, saving lives and ensuring better healthcare outcomes for vulnerable populations.
Our implementation partners, like Babies and Mothers Alive (BAMA) in Uganda, share our vision of providing quality care to mothers and preventing maternal and newborn deaths. Dr. Dan, Executive Director of BAMA, reflects on the journey:
"Before the COVID-19 pandemic, oxygen was not widely recognised as an essential medicine. Over the past four years, we've seen significant improvements in patient survival rates in NICUs and HDUs. Access to quality oxygen has been instrumental in saving countless maternal and newborn lives in Uganda."
Dr. Eleanor, Program Director for BAMA, shares a deeply personal connection to this mission. As a mother of preterm twins born at 29 weeks, she knows firsthand the lifesaving power of medical oxygen. "My babies needed oxygen from their first minutes after birth, and I will always promote its availability so that other mothers can smile as I did," she says passionately.
Through their partnership with FREO2, BAMA has seen tangible results: zero deaths due to oxygen shortages or power outages, increased survival rates for babies in NICUs, and more newborns thriving after discharge. Their work has led to substantial improvements in newborn health indicators, reinforcing the critical importance of oxygen access.
Dr. Eleanor, Program Director for BAMA
We extend our heartfelt thanks to all our partners: Grand Challenges Canada, Better Futures CoLab, BAMA, Adara Group, Doris Mollel Foundation, Every Breath Counts Coalition, Clinton Health Access Initiative, Wizara ya Afya Tanzania, Ministry of Health - Uganda, Ministry of Health & Medical Services Solomon Islands, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, and Brink. Your support makes this life-saving work possible.
On a global scale, advocates like Leith Greenslade work tirelessly to raise awareness and drive policy change, ensuring oxygen remains a healthcare priority.
"Access to medical oxygen is not just a health issue; it is a fundamental human right that demands urgent attention. The pandemic has laid bare the devastating consequences of oxygen shortages, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. We must work together to ensure that every person, regardless of where they live, has access to this lifesaving medicine."
— Leith Greenslade, Founder & CEO, JustActions, Coordinator, Every Breath Counts (Read the full article)
Together, we stand united in our mission to ensure that everyone has access to life-saving oxygen, transforming lives and communities across the globe.
Leith Greenslade, Founder & CEO – JustActions, Coordinator – Every Breath Counts
While oxygen is an essential medicine, many people in low-resource and remote areas still don't have access to it. At FREO2, we've pioneered a groundbreaking approach that integrates novel innovation with our Oxygen as a Service (O2aaS) model to deliver affordable and reliable oxygen access to the most underserved regions. Today, we celebrate the remarkable people who make that possible.
