UNICEF, IHS donate oxygen plant to Cross River Govt
By PATRICK ABANG, Calabar –
The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and IHS Towers, in collaboration with the Canadian Government have donated a Pressure Swing Absorption (PSA) oxygen plant to Cross River State government.
The oxygen plant is situated at the General Hospital, Calabar.
Speaking during the commissioning of the oxygen plant in Càlabar, UNICEF representative in Nigeria, Ms Cristian Munduate, who was represented by the Fund’s Chief Field Officer Enugu, Juliet Chiluwe, said in addition to oxygen plant, 250 health workers across all three tiers, as well as biomedical engineers and technicians, have been trained in managing illnesses causing low oxygen concentration, the correct use of oxygen therapy, and the maintenance and repair of oxygen delivery equipment.
“In addition to this oxygen plant, the State has also received numerous oxygen-delivery devices from UNICEF and its partners, which are also being commissioned for service today.
“We will continue to collaborate with your government to enhance the capacity of health workers to deliver high-impact interventions for women, newborns and children. We will continue to provide technical support and strengthen systems for service delivery. Our ultimate goal is to contribute to making this State rank among the best in the country in key indicators of maternal and child health.
She maintained that the commitment was aimed at strengthening healthcare system and ensuring access to life-saving medical oxygen, particularly for the most vulnerable population.
“Permit me to acknowledge the contributions of our esteemed partners who share the vision of strengthening the medical oxygen system in Nigeria and are contributing to saving the precious lives of our children and women”, she said.
Commissioning the project, Cross River State Governor, Bassey Otu, represented by the Deputy Governor, Peter Odey, expressed confidence that the Pressure Swing Absorption (PSA) Oxygen Plant would make a meaningful difference in the lives of countless citizens of the state.
The governor thanked UNICEF for the gesture, insisting that the state government would pay a regular visit to the plant to monitor its usage and functionality even as he urged the general hospital management to make judicious use of the plant.
Earlier, in a welcome address, the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Henry Ayuk, thanked UNICEF for training state-based engineers that would manage the facility, noting that the facility is a money spinning facility whose IGR is capable of sustaining the entire hospital.
He added that plans were underway to establish another oxygen plants in Ogoja General Hospital while appealing to UNICEF and other partners to see how they can establish such facility in Ugep, Central Senatorial District of Cross River state.