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The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and IHS Towers have inspected the medical oxygen plant on the General Hospital, Eleme, Rivers State, amid requires solar energy set up and extra oxygen cylinders to enhance manufacturing and guarantee sustainability.
The inspection offered a possibility for the companions to assess the ability’s operations, determine challenges and discover methods to strengthen its capability to meet the rising demand for medical oxygen in Rivers State and neighbouring states.
During the inspection Wednesday, UNICEF Health Specialist at its Enugu Field Office, Dr. Ifeyinwa Anyanyo, famous that the oxygen plant was established by way of a partnership involving the Nigerian and Canadian governments, IHS Towers and UNICEF.
Anyanyo additional famous that the initiative was a part of efforts to tackle gaps in entry to medical oxygen uncovered by the COVID-19 pandemic, which prompted the institution of oxygen crops throughout totally different geopolitical zones of the nation.
She acknowledged the efforts of the Rivers State Government in managing the ability however famous that there was room for enchancment and growth.
Speaking, the Chief Medical Director of the Rivers State Hospitals Management Board, Dr. Bright Ogbonda, mentioned the plant, inaugurated in August 2023, had considerably improved entry to medical oxygen for healthcare amenities within the state and past.
He disclosed that the ability was working under capability, largely due to insufficient energy provide and a scarcity of oxygen cylinders.
Ogbonda mentioned: “The plant is not connected to the national grid and relied entirely on diesel-powered generators, making production expensive and limiting its output.”
He referred to as on UNICEF, IHS Towers and different companions to help the set up of solar energy and connection to the nationwide grid, stressing that solarisation would considerably cut back working prices, enhance manufacturing and enhance the plant’s monetary sustainability.
According to him, the plant has a lifespan of about 15 years, making it vital to construct adequate monetary reserves to exchange the gear when required and help the institution of extra amenities.
Ogbonda additionally recognized insufficient oxygen cylinders as one other main constraint, explaining that: “Some cylinders supplied to hospitals remained with customers who lacked their own containers, limiting the plant’s ability to serve other facilities.”
He mentioned the administration had procured about 50 extra 40-litre oxygen cylinders, which had helped ease the issue, however extra had been nonetheless required.
The medical director added that the plant provided oxygen at one of many lowest costs in Rivers State, attracting clients from Bayelsa, Imo and different neighbouring areas.
He defined that the ability was established primarily to guarantee entry to inexpensive medical oxygen relatively than maximise income.
On safety, Ogbonda mentioned measures, together with closed-circuit tv cameras, strengthened doorways and night time safety, had been launched to shield the plant towards vandalism.
He, nevertheless, referred to as for extra safety help to safeguard the broader hospital premises.
The plant’s senior operator, ThankGod Epelle, mentioned the ability had an put in manufacturing capability of 18 cubic metres per hour however at the moment produced about 20 cylinders of 40 litres every day due to energy constraints.
Epelle mentioned the excessive price of diesel consumed a good portion of the plant’s income, stopping it from assembly the rising demand from private and non-private hospitals.
He additionally appealed for solar energy and extra cylinders to enhance manufacturing and distribution.
The oxygen plant was established following a nationwide evaluation of medical oxygen wants throughout the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, and was handed over to the Rivers State Government as a part of efforts to strengthen healthcare supply.
