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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 increase manufacturing and guarantee sustainability.
The inspection offered a chance for the companions to assess the power’s operations, establish 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 deal with gaps in entry to medical oxygen uncovered by the COVID-19 pandemic, which prompted the institution of oxygen crops throughout completely different geopolitical zones of the nation.
She acknowledged the efforts of the Rivers State Government in managing the power however famous that there was room for enchancment and enlargement.
Speaking, the Chief Medical Director of the Rivers State Hospitals Management Board, Dr. Bright Ogbonda, stated 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 power was working under capability, largely due to insufficient energy provide and a scarcity of oxygen cylinders.
Ogbonda stated: “The plant is not connected to the national grid and relied entirely on diesel-powered generators, making production expensive and limiting its output.”
He known 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 scale 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 essential to construct ample monetary reserves to exchange the tools 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 stated 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 equipped oxygen at one of many lowest costs in Rivers State, attracting prospects from Bayelsa, Imo and different neighbouring areas.
He defined that the power was established primarily to guarantee entry to inexpensive medical oxygen fairly than maximise earnings.
On safety, Ogbonda stated measures, together with closed-circuit tv cameras, bolstered doorways and evening safety, had been launched to defend the plant towards vandalism.
He, nevertheless, known as for extra safety help to safeguard the broader hospital premises.
The plant’s senior operator, ThankGod Epelle, stated the power had an put in manufacturing capability of 18 cubic metres per hour however presently produced about 20 cylinders of 40 litres day by day due to energy constraints.
Epelle stated 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.
