On Wednesday, the Oyo State Government and the United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) launched a solar-powered Pressure Swing Absorption (PSA) medical oxygen facility at Ibadan’s Jericho Specialist Hospital.
According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), a Level 2 Newborn Unit (12-cot facility for newborns) and the Oyo State Strategy for the Scale-up of Medical Oxygen in Health Facilities (2024-2028) were both inaugurated and launched.
At the inauguration event, Gov. Seyi Makinde reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to supporting any project that aims to improve the well-being of the state’s people.
He commended UNICEF and other partner organisations’ work to promoting mother and child health in the state.
He stated that the newly inaugurated oxygen plant will solve the issue of oxygen shortages in hospitals while also strengthening the healthcare system by providing a safety net for those in need.
Ms. Cristian Munduate, Country Representative of UNICEF Nigeria, stated that the programs are a significant step towards improving maternal and child health in Oyo State and across Nigeria.
Munduate described the construction of the solar-powered medical oxygen plant as a significant achievement.
She emphasized that oxygen was an essential life-saving strategy, especially for babies and children suffering from pneumonia and other respiratory ailments.
“By utilizing solar power, we provide a consistent and sustainable oxygen supply, even during times of insufficient energy.
“This plant is a beacon of innovation and resilience, promising to save countless lives and provide a model for similar initiatives across the country.
“The Level 2 Newborn Unit at Jericho Specialist Hospital offers advanced equipment and trained healthcare professionals to care for premature and critically ill newborns.
The unit aims to reduce neonatal mortality rates and improve health outcomes for the most vulnerable population.
Launching the Oyo State Strategy for Scaling Up Medical Oxygen in Healthcare Facilities, This strategy is a thorough road map aimed at ensuring that every health institution in the state has the resources needed to offer medical oxygen.
“We are confident that the Oyo State Government will maintain and use these facilities effectively to maximize their impact. UNICEF will continue to support the government in this endeavor by building capacity, providing technical expertise, and monitoring progress,” she stated.
In her opening comments, the state Commissioner for Health, Dr Oluwaserimi Ajetunmobi, said the inauguration of the projects constituted a tremendous milestone for the state and its partners, who worked tirelessly to bring them to completion.
According to Ajetunmobi, partners include UNICEF, IHS Towers, the Norwegian and Canadian governments, and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
She stated that the success demonstrated the strength of teamwork, devotion, and the influence of collaborative efforts in closing crucial gaps in healthcare infrastructure.
“Medical oxygen is a lifesaving essential medicine used to treat patients at all levels of the healthcare system from intensive care, to newborn and child health care, anaesthetic, and siųrgical services to outpatient services.
“The scale-up plan for medical oxygen aims to diagnose and treat all patients with hypoxaemia, preventing deaths due to the condition.
“The availability of high-quality and functional oxygen supply systems will improve equitable access to oxygen and, in so doing, would significantly reduce mortality from hypoxaemiafti our society,” she stated.
The Oxygen Plant is Nigeria’s first solar-powered facility, demonstrating the Makinde administration’s dedication to improving healthcare facilities.
She also stated that the opening of the 12-cot neonatal center, which is prepared to provide advanced care for tiny and unwell babies, was a deliberate step targeted at improving newborn health outcomes.
Ms Munduate’s presentation of the facilities to Gov. Makinde on behalf of UNICEF.
 launched a solar-powered Pressure){kind=link}