The Kwara State Government has commissioned two new state-of-the-art Pressure Swing Absorption (PSA) Oxygen Plants at the General Hospital, Lafiagi, and the Thomas Adewumi Teaching Hospital, Omu-Aran.
These facilities were donated by the Global Fund as a significant step toward enhancing healthcare delivery and ensuring an affordable, steady supply of medical-grade oxygen across the state.
The new plants are intended to serve as regional hubs for oxygen production, particularly benefiting hospitals in the Kwara North and Kwara South senatorial districts.
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Speaking at the technical commissioning ceremonies, the Commissioner for Health, Amina Ahmed El-Imam, represented by Toyin Raji, hailed the projects as “significant milestones” for the state’s healthcare system.
She emphasised that medical oxygen is a critical life-saving resource for neonatal care, surgeries, emergency treatments, and respiratory conditions.
El-Imam expressed gratitude to the Global Fund for their generous support, noting that the initiative aligns with Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq’s vision for accessible and sustainable healthcare.
The technical inspection and commissioning was led by Onoja Kingsley, the Zonal Coordinator for North Central Oxygen at the Federal Ministry of Health.
He confirmed the efficiency of the plants—testing all components, including the Air Compressor, PSA Oxygen Generator, and Filling Ramp—to ensure the required oxygen purity was achieved.
Kingsley stressed the critical need for sustainability, urging the state to form a State Oxygen Committee and establish a framework to guarantee continuous operation beyond the plants’ five-year warranty period.
He advised that the plants should not only produce oxygen but also generate revenue through sales, with proceeds reinvested in maintenance.
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Saliu Bolakale, the Chief Medical Director of Lafiaji General Hospital, profoundly thanked the Global Fund and the state government, affirming that the plant would significantly enhance service delivery and save “countless lives” through reliable, home-grown oxygen production.
The ceremony saw attendance from top officials of the Federal Ministry of Health, NACA, and the state Ministry of Health.
