Nigeria has recently received its first state-of-the-art solar-powered Pressure Swing Adsorption (PSA) oxygen plant and a level 2 neonatal unit, aimed at improving healthcare services for mothers and infants. UNICEF, HIS Towers, and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, in collaboration with the Canadian and Norwegian governments, generously donated these facilities to Jericho Hospital in Ibadan in order to support the health and well-being of the local community. The UNICEF Nigeria Country Director, Cristian Munduate, along with Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State, expressed that the establishment would greatly decrease neonatal deaths and enhance the well-being of Nigeria’s most vulnerable and youngest individuals.
Munduate stated that utilizing Solar Energy will guarantee a consistent and Eco-friendly oxygen source, even during power shortages. The pressure swing adsorption (PSA) facility will generate oxygen directly at the hospital with solar power, diminishing the hospital’s reliance on outside providers. UNICEF reports that the recently installed solar-powered plant has the ability to fill 135 20-liter cylinders within a 24-hour period, resulting in the production of 720,000 litres of medical oxygen during that same timeframe. This capability guarantees continuous therapy for 100 children suffering from severe pneumonia or 50-60 COVID-19 patients at the same time.
Jericho Hospital now equipped with cutting-edge equipment.
Furthermore, the newly established Level 2 Newborn Unit at Jericho Specialist Hospital is equipped with cutting-edge equipment and staffed by skilled healthcare professionals committed to delivering specialized care for premature and critically ill infants. Munduate also noted that the plant would help minimize the risk of treatment interruptions caused by power outages and is in line with global initiatives to decrease carbon emissions. The Gates Foundation-backed unit will receive support from the new plant. Describing the transfer of the plant as a major milestone for Oyo State, Seyi Makinde, the state’s Governor, highlighted that it corresponds with the State’s commitment to Omituntun 2.0, which aims to guarantee that all residents receive top-notch healthcare services.
The installation of this plant will greatly improve the state’s ability to offer crucial medical services, strengthening its healthcare system for long-term resilience. Oxygen plants have already been built and commissioned to state authorities in Ogun, Kaduna, Cross Rivers, and Ebonyi, with four more plants expected to be completed by the end of the year. During the pandemic, Nigeria saw a surge in Covid-19 cases with over 200,000 confirmed infections and thousands of fatalities. Several hospitals faced a shortage of essential equipment for oxygen therapy, like oxygen concentrators and cylinders at the time.
Power outages highlight the need for solar-powered systems.
Various efforts were made to contribute essential supplies to support Nigeria Covid-19 Response Plan. The United Nations provided 10,000 testing kits, 15 oxygen concentrators, PPE, vaccines, emergency health kits, and other crucial medical supplies in 2020. Nigeria also grapples with one of the highest rates of maternal mortality globally, with inadequate access to medical oxygen during childbirth complications being a major influencer. In 2020, the country’s maternal mortality rate of 1,047 deaths per 100,000 births was reported to be the third-highest in Africa by the World Health Organization. This figure is significantly above the UN target of 70 deaths per 100,000 births to be achieved worldwide by 2030.
Numerous medical facilities across the country are dealing with power outages, inadequate salaries, and difficult working environments for healthcare workers. Nigeria has experienced more than 206 grid failures in the past nine years, including 12 in 2019, despite significant financial investments in power infrastructure. The Association of Resident Doctors (ARDs) disclosed in 2020 that surgeries were being conducted in certain hospitals affected by power outages using torches and candles. This highlights the need for medical plants powered by solar energy in order to ensure an uninterrupted medical service.
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In rural areas, conventional cylinder plants face challenges with refills and reliability due to power outages. This leaves patients without oxygen for extended periods. However, the introduction of these solar powered systems offers a reliable off-grid solution using Renewable Energy and efficient storage to ensure continuous access to therapy for patients around the clock. Additionally, solar powered systems are highly efficient in terms of cost, not only saving lives but also needing very little maintenance once installed, unlike other systems. These systems have few components that move and are simple to operate, requiring minimal training for healthcare workers in rural regions.