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The United Nations Children’s Fund on Wednesday handed over the first solarised Medical Oxygen Pressure Swing Adsorption Plant in Nigeria and a level 2 Newborn Unit to the Governor of Oyo State, Seyi Makinde.
UNICEF donated the plant with funding from partners; IHS Nigeria, governments of Canada and Norway as well as the Bills & Melinda Gates Foundation.
Likewise, the Oyo State Strategy for the Scale-Up of Medical Oxygen in Health Facilities was also unveiled.
Speaking at the location of the plant, Jerico Specialist Hospital, Ibadan, Oyo State, the Country Director, UNICEF in Nigeria, Ms Cristian Munduate, said the installation of the solarised medical oxygen plant was a groundbreaking achievement.
She said, “Oxygen is a critical life-saving intervention, particularly for newborns and children suffering from pneumonia and other respiratory illnesses. By harnessing solar power, we ensure a reliable and sustainable oxygen supply, even in times of limited electricity.
This plant is a beacon of innovation and resilience, promising to save countless lives and provide a model for similar initiatives across the country.
“Additionally, the Level 2 Newborn Unit established here at Jericho Specialist Hospital is equipped with state-of-the-art equipment and staffed by trained healthcare professionals dedicated to providing specialised care for premature and critically ill newborns.
“This unit will significantly reduce neonatal mortality rates and improve health outcomes for our youngest and most vulnerable population.”
Munduate explained that the Oyo State Strategy for the Scale-Up of Medical Oxygen in Health Facilities was a comprehensive strategic roadmap designed to ensure that every health facility in the state was equipped with the necessary resources to provide medical oxygen.
Mundate added that it outlined the steps for capacity building, infrastructure development, supply chain management, and sustainable financing mechanisms.
After signing all official documents of the handing over to the state government, Makinde, who spoke on the roadmap, said, “We may not be remembered for building roads, but we will be remembered for building strong institutions that will ensure that Oyo State runs predictably for so many years after our tenure.”
In her welcome address, the Oyo State Commissioner for Health, Dr Oluwaserimi Ajetunmobi, said the unveiling of the solarised Medical Oxygen Pressure Swing Adsorption Plant in Nigeria, with level 2 Newborn Unit and the Oyo State Strategy for the scale-up of Medical Oxygen in Health Facilities (2024-2028) was as a testament to the power of collaboration, to dedication, and the impact of collective efforts in addressing critical gaps in healthcare infrastructure.
