UNICEF, Canada open oxygen plant in Ebonyi for clinical emergencies

THE United Nations International Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has partnered IHS Towers and the Government of Canada to open an Oxygen Plant at the Alex Ekwueme Federal University Teaching Hospital, Abakaliki (AE-FUTHA), Ebonyi State to cater for clincial emergencies.

Businessday reports that the Oxygen Plant can produce 6,000 liters of oxygen in a day for the State and it will be co-managed by AEFETHA and State Government for effective use.

The Oxygen Plant was inaugurated by Governor Francis Nwifuru of Ebonyi State, who was represented by the Deputy Governor, Patricia Onyemachi Obila.

Rownak Khan, Advocate for Child Rights, and UNICEF Deputy Representative in Nigeria at the event, said UNICEF would like to work with the Ebonyi State Government to identify with other partners and come up with a plan where they can explore private sectors and also other donors as well for their support in maintaining the oxygen.

“Today is a historical day not only for the people of Ebonyi State but Nigeria. This is a milestone in the oxygen landscape as we commission an oxygen gas plant to this State.

“Also I would like to acknowledge our donors who trusted us with funds that allowed us to be able commission this oxygen plant and I want to acknowledge the government of Canada, the IHS Towers, and other partners.

“This is also a true example of a public-private partnership, the partnership between UNICEF, we are a long-standing partner in Nigeria, and our presence is more than 40 years in this country.”

Robinson Onoh, Professor and Chief Medical Director, Alex Ekwueme Federal Teaching Hospital, (CMD) Abakaliki, said with the oxygen plant more lives especially children under five years would be saved.

Onoh however appealed for the solarization of the plant by the donor to make it less expensive, adding that the hospital would need a water treatment plant.

Onoh said the Oxygen Plant could also serve as a source of IGR to Ebonyi State when properly managed.