Breath of Life

Oxygen Concentrators for Pediatric Hospitals in Malawi

Respiratory illness causes more global pediatric deaths than AIDS, malaria and measles combined. Pneumonia alone claims the lives of over two million children each year and is only one of a host of respiratory diseases, including tuberculosis, that disproportionately afflict HIV-positive children. Oxygen therapy is a critical element of pediatric care, yet in southern Africa, 80% of children who need oxygen do not receive it.

In an effort to help sick children breathe more easily, World Altering Medicine conceived of Breath of Life Malawi in 2009. We provide oxygen concentrators to pediatric wards of public hospitals in Malawi. It is hard to imagine that in many places in the world, like Malawi, a family with a sick child can arrive at the hospital, often after many hours of travel, only to find that there is little or no oxygen available. Without access to oxygen, children in respiratory distress often will suffocate to death. Originally started on the campus of Kamuzu Central Hospital in Lilongwe, Malawi’s capital, Breath of Life now operates in four Malawian hospitals and is looking to expand across the country and to other countries in Africa. Breath of Life focuses solely on providing oxygen concentrators to pediatric wards in public hospitals throughout Malawi. Our efforts save sick children from respiratory distress and suffocation. A properly functioning oxygen concentrator can support the lives of several children at a time and help nurse each one of them back to health.

Breath of Life Malawi is working diligently to expand across the country and to other countries in Africa. We signed a memorandum of understanding with the Malawian Ministry of Health in April 2010 and are now operating in 17 public hospitals. Our goal is to give a breath of life to as many sick children as possible.

One oxygen concentrator, including the oxygen tubing and accessories needed to support up to five children at a time, costs $1,800.00. Because oxygen concentrators are saving children’s lives on a daily basis and can work efficiently for three to five years, this intervention is impactful as well as cost efficient. Due to the amazing generosity of our donors, so far WAM has purchased 22 oxygen concentrators for hospitals in Malawi. We would like to do more. Lots more.

Doctors working in Kamuzu Central Hospital estimate that 25% of child deaths could be averted with sufficient oxygen. Adding just a few concentrators to the pediatric wards of poorly resourced African hospitals would save the lives of countless children, resulting in shorter hospital stays and freeing up much needed hospital resources to save even more lives.

96% of every dollar raised goes directly to the children we serve. Contributing to Breath of Life will immediately and directly benefit Malawian children at risk, offering hope for survival. Read on to hear about some of the children whose lives have been impacted by World Altering Medicine’s Breath of Life Program.

See “news” to learn about exciting updates on Breath of Life.