From Fred Ezeh, Abuja
UNICEF and some partners including Canadian Government and IHS Towers, have procured and handed over of a cutting-edge medical oxygen plant and oxygen delivery devices to a General Hospital in Eleme, Rivers State.
UNICEF, in a statement, on Tuesday, said the initiative followed a comprehensive, nationwide assessment of oxygen needs in health facilities across all 36+1 states, conducted jointly with the Federal Ministry of Health (and CHAI in select states).
UNICEF Country Representative, Cristian Munduate, in the statement, said the medical oxygen plant installation was a groundbreaking achievement, providing a critical life-saving intervention for newborns and children suffering from pneumonia and other respiratory illnesses.
She said: “This plant stands as a beacon of innovation and resilience, promising to save countless lives, improve health outcomes, and serve as a model for similar initiatives across the country.
“It’s a significant milestone that represents a major advancement in the ongoing efforts to improve maternal, newborn, and child health in Rivers State and across Nigeria. This marks a crucial advancement in our mission to supply medical-grade oxygen to healthcare facilities.
“This represents a remarkable step forward in our shared commitment to improving maternal, newborn, and child health in Rivers State and across Nigeria.”
She said that UNICEF is confident that the hospital managers would maintained and utilized the facility effectively to maximize its impact.
“UNICEF remains committed to supporting the government in this endeavor through continuous capacity building, provision of technical expertise, and monitoring progress. We celebrate more than just the inauguration of a new oxygen plant; we celebrate hope, progress, and the promise of a healthier future for every child in Rivers State. We look forward to witnessing the positive changes that this plant will bring to the lives of many families and the entire populace,” she added.
Mohamad Darwish, the CEO of IHS Towers, in his remarks, said, “we are proud to support UNICEF and contribute to an initiative which was 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.”
Similarly, James Christoff, the High Commissioner of Canada to Nigeria, said that a steady and reliable supply of medical oxygen contributes to the successful treatment of patients at all levels of the health care system.
“Medical oxygen is an essential life-saving medicine in surgery, as well as for trauma, heart failure, asthma, pneumonia, and maternal and childcare. Canada is proud to partner with UNICEF, IHS and the Government of Rivers State on this important initiative, which is leading to strengthened health systems in Nigeria.”