In a significant stride towards improving maternal, newborn, and child health, UNICEF, in collaboration with IHS Nigeria and the Government of Canada, has handed over a state-of-the-art medical oxygen plant and oxygen delivery devices to the Rivers State Government.
The advanced oxygen plant, installed at Eleme General Hospital in Port Harcourt, follows a comprehensive nationwide assessment of oxygen needs in health facilities. This assessment, conducted jointly with the Federal Ministry of Health and CHAI across Nigeria’s 36 states, stands as the largest of its kind globally. The findings from this assessment strategically guided the placement of oxygen plants throughout the country.
During the handover ceremony, UNICEF Nigeria’s representative, Cristian Munduate, emphasized the significance of this development: “The handover of this newly built Oxygen Generation Plant 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. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to the Government of Rivers State for their unwavering support and collaboration. We also express our deepest appreciation to our donors, IHS Nigeria, and the Government of Canada for this partnership.”
Mohamad Darwish, CEO of IHS Towers, highlighted the initiative’s goal to strengthen healthcare services and support the Federal Ministry of Health in meeting the demands for effective oxygen therapy in Nigeria. James Christoff, the High Commissioner of Canada to Nigeria, underscored the critical role of reliable medical oxygen supply in treating various health conditions, noting Canada’s pride in partnering on this vital project.
UNICEF expressed confidence in the Rivers State Government’s commitment to maintaining and effectively utilizing the new plant, especially with its decision to operationalize the facility using a public-private partnership model. Additionally, UNICEF pledged ongoing support through continuous capacity building, provision of technical expertise, and monitoring progress.
This development marks a notable milestone in enhancing healthcare infrastructure and ensuring better health outcomes for mothers, newborns, and children in Rivers State and beyond.
