Canada supports Nigeria with $23 million for oxygen plants
In a significant boost to Nigeria’s healthcare system, the Canadian government has provided $23 million to support the building of oxygen plants across nine states in the country.
This was revealed by Canadian High Commissioner James Christoff during his visit to the newly commissioned Pressure Swing Adsorption (PSA) oxygen plant at the General Hospital Nchia, Eleme, Rivers State.
The oxygen plant, which has a 720,000 liters capacity, was inaugurated on August 6 and is part of a larger initiative to address the shortage of medical oxygen in Nigeria.
According to Dr. Mekele Igwe, Permanent Secretary of Rivers State Ministry of Health, the facility fills 135 cylinders (20-1liter bottles) in 24 hours, providing enough oxygen for 100 children or 50-60 adults to receive round-the-clock treatment.
The project was made possible through a partnership between the Canadian government, UNICEF, the Nigerian government, and IHS Towers. Dr. Anslem Audu, UNICEF Chief of Field Office, Port Harcourt, expressed his belief that the plant will deliver oxygen to both private and government facilities, ensuring that no patient is deprived of essential oxygen.
The Canadian government’s funding aims to address the gap in medical oxygen availability across the globe. Christoff noted that the project demonstrates the effectiveness of collaboration between governments, international organizations, and local authorities in addressing healthcare challenges.
The oxygen plant is expected to play a crucial role in saving lives, improving patient outcomes, and supporting the healthcare system’s overall efficacy in Rivers State and neighboring states. With the commissioning of the plant, there will be no scarcity of oxygen in Rivers State, ensuring better medical care for those in need.
