Persistent global inequalities in therapeutic respiratory devices

Extract Profound inequalities in access to respiratory medical devices persist across countries. These inequalities are particularly consequential in respiratory medicine, where effective care may depend not only on medicines but also on oxygen therapy, ventilatory support and other medical technologies. Affordability and procurement are only part of this divide: infrastructure, maintenance, consumables, trained personnel and health-system capacity determine whether devices ultimately translate into effective care [1–4].