UNICEF, IHS boost healthcare with oxygen plant in Cross River

The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and IHS Towers in collaboration with the Government of Canada, have donated an Oxygen Plant to Cross River State Government.

The Oxygen Plant Project, which is situated at the General Hospital, Calabar, is the main Government Hospital, just as arrangements are being concluded to donate a similar clincial facility to Ogoja General Hospital, also in Cross River State.

Speaking during the inauguration of the Oxygen Plant, in Calabar, Cristian Munduate, UNICEF Representative, said, in addition to Oxygen Plant, 250 health workers across all three tiers, as well as biomedical engineers and technicians, had 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 said.

Munduate, who was represented by Juliet Chiluwe, UNICEF ChIef Field Officer in Enugu State, maintained that the commitment was aimed at strengthening healthcare system and ensuring access to life-saving medical oxygen, particularly for the most vulnerable population.

Commissioning the project on behalf of the State Government, Governor Bassey Otu, who was represented by Peter Odey, Deputy Governor, expressed confidence that the Pressure Swing Absorption (PSA) Oxygen Plant would make a meaningful difference in the lives of countless citizens of the State.

He however 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, Henry Ayuk, Commissioner for Health, lauded UNICEF for training State-based engineers that would manage the facility, noting that the facility is a money-spinning facility whose internally generated revenue is capable of sustaining the entire hospital.

He added that plans were underway to establish another Oxygen Plant in Ogoja General Hospital while appealing to UNICEF and other partners to see how they could establish such a facility in Ugep, Central Senatorial District of Cross River State.