Calabar, Cross River State, May 24, 2024 – In a significant step forward for healthcare delivery in Cross River State, the government has today taken delivery of an Oxygen Gas Plant, generously donated by the Government of Canada and IHS Nigeria part of the IHS Towers Group, through a partnership with UNICEF. This initiative is aimed at increasing access to essential medical oxygen, crucial for the survival of children and other vulnerable groups. Two days ago, a similar Oxygen plant was handed over to the Kaduna State Government.
These new oxygen generation plants are designed to provide a consistent and adequate supply of oxygen, crucial for patients with respiratory issues, post-surgical patients, those in intensive care, and others needing supplemental oxygen. By producing oxygen on-site, hospitals in these states can reduce dependency on external suppliers, resulting in greater autonomy, cost efficiency, and reduced risk of supply chain interruptions, thereby ensuring continuous patient care.
Recognizing the urgent need to bridge critical healthcare gaps, UNICEF, in collaboration with the Government of Canada and IHS Nigeria, has facilitated the construction and handover of these Oxygen Gas Plants. This project underscores the commitment to improving the health and well-being of the people of Nigeria through robust healthcare infrastructure.
“Medical oxygen is an essential commodity in both emergency and routine medical applications because every tissue in the body requires it. Its importance was globally appreciated during the COVID-19 pandemic. From then, its availability has become a most important indicator for measuring health system preparedness to contain health emergencies. I am delighted by this laudable support from UNICEF and its donors in establishing this medical oxygen plant to Cross River State. We will complement this breakthrough achievement in ensuring sustainability of medical oxygen across the State” said Senator Ntufam Prince Bassey Otu, the Executive Governor of Cross Rivers State.
“On behalf of UNICEF and our esteemed partners, the Government of Canada and IHS Nigeria, I am honoured to witness this historic moment. The handover of these newly built Oxygen Generation Plants marks a critical development in our mission to provide medical-grade oxygen to healthcare facilities. These plants will ensure a continuous and reliable supply of life-saving oxygen, essential for the treatment of our most vulnerable, particularly children,” said Ms. Cristian Munduate, UNICEF Representative.
The Government of Canada and IHS Nigeria have been instrumental in this endeavour, reinforcing their commitment to global health initiatives and the well-being of communities.
“Medical oxygen is an essential life-saving medicine. Having a steady and reliable supply of medical oxygen contributes to the successful treatment of patients at all levels of the health care system, including in surgery, trauma, heart failure, asthma, pneumonia, and maternal and childcare. Canada is proud to partner with UNICEF and IHS on this important initiative, which is leading to strengthened health systems in Nigeria”, said James Christoff, the High Commissioner of Canada to Nigeria.
“We are proud to support UNICEF and contribute to an initiative which is designed to strengthen healthcare services and help support the Federal Ministry of Health meet demands for effective oxygen therapy in Nigeria. The initiative aims to improve healthcare accessibility and delivery of services and strengthen treatments for illnesses across our host communities.” Said Mohamad Darwish, the CEO of IHS Nigeria.
These Oxygen plants are one of nine that have been constructed by UNICEF with generous support from partners including IHS Nigeria, Government of Canada and Government of Norway. So far Oxygen plants have been constructed and handed over to State Governments in Ogun, Kaduna and Ebonyi. Additional Oxygen plants are in the final stages of completion in Bauchi, Oyo, Yobe, Rivers, and Kano and are expected to be handed over to State Governments in 2024.
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Note to Editors:
The new oxygen plants can fill 135 cylinders (20-liter bottles) in a 24-hour period. These can provide 720,000 liters of medical oxygen within the same time frame. This capacity ensures that 100 children with severe pneumonia or 50-60 COVID-19 patients can receive round-the-clock oxygen treatment simultaneously.
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