In another groundbreaking move, UNICEF has recently announced the delivery of a state-of-the-art medical oxygen plant and oxygen delivery devices to the General Hospital in Eleme, Rivers State. This noteworthy accomplishment was facilitated in collaboration with the Canadian government, IHS Nigeria, and the Rivers State government. It is recognized as a significant step forward in the continuous endeavours to enhance the health of expectant mothers, newborns, and children in Rivers State and across Nigeria. The delivery of this recently constructed oxygen generation plant, according to UNICEF Representative Cristian Munduate, is part of the organization’s goal of providing medical-grade oxygen to healthcare facilities.
This facility succeeds other similar projects recently implemented within the country, guaranteeing to save many lives as well as enhance public health. It is a beacon of creativity and resilience. Cristian sincerely thanked all of the partners for their cooperation and efforts, saying that this accomplishment demonstrates a result of collaborative efforts towards a shared goal. The CEO of IHS Towers, Mohamad Darwish, emphasized that the initiative’s objective is to enhance healthcare delivery and accessibility, bolstering illness treatments throughout their host communities.
Medical oxygen is a vital life-saving treatment.
For successful treatment at all levels of the healthcare system, including surgery, trauma, heart failure, asthma, pneumonia, and maternity and child care, Darwish pointed out that a consistent and dependable supply of medicinal oxygen is necessary. The Canadian High Commissioner to Nigeria, James Christoff, commended the partnership for strengthening Nigeria’s health services. He praised Canada’s collaboration with UNICEF, IHS, and the Rivers State government on this vital project and underlined the value of medical oxygen as a life-saving treatment.
Moving forward, UNICEF expressed optimism that the oxygen plant will be well-maintained and utilized to its full potential. Particularly admirable is the choice to operationalise the plant under a public-private partnership model, which, if carried out well, could yield sustainable advantages. UNICEF further calls for the prompt deployment of medical personnel to the same facility’s recently built level two newborn unit. This unit, fully furnished with cutting-edge Technology funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and UNICEF, will improve the standard of care given to infants in Rivers State.
Several other states have received similar plant.
Following the announcement of their 18 months partnership in 2022, UNICEF and IHS Nigeria have been making notable contributions to supply oxygen Infrastructure to Nigerian healthcare facilities for the treatment of pneumonia, COVID-19, and other hypoxaemia conditions. This move further bolsters the Federal Ministry of Health’s efforts to address the country’s needs for efficient oxygen therapy. States focused on this partnership are Ogun, Oyo, Kano, Bauchi, Kaduna, Ebonyi, Cross Rivers, and Rivers. Under this partnership, oxygen plants have been added to medical facilities and included in state-specific strategies for oxygen resilience.
Earlier in May, UNICEF confirmed the delivery of an oxygen gas plant to the Cross River State government, in collaboration with the governments of Canada and IHS Nigeria. Similarly, UNICEF has handed over Nigeria’s first fully solar-powered Pressure Swing Adsorption (PSA) Oxygen Gas Plant to the Jericho Specialist Hospital in Ibadan, Oyo State. Oxygen plants have also been constructed and handed over to state governments in Ebonyi, Ogun and Kaduna. The goal of these projects is to provide more people with access to medical oxygen, which is vital for children and other Vulnerable Populations to survive.
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Furthermore, UNICEF disclosed that Kano State will soon receive another fully solar-powered plant, demonstrating an innovative approach to health care sustainability. These initiatives highlight the dedication to enhancing Nigerians’ health and well-being by building a strong healthcare system. The new oxygen generation plants are made to deliver a steady and sufficient supply of oxygen in order to meet the needs of patients with respiratory disorders, patients recovering from surgery, patients in critical care, and others requiring extra oxygen.