The Kwara government has inaugurated two Pressure Swing Absorption oxygen plants at General Hospital, Lafiagi, and Thomas Adewumi Teaching Hospital, Omu-Aran.

The PSA oxygen plants were donated by the Global Fund.

The commissioner for health, Amina El-Imam, said during the inauguration that the oxygen plants were significant milestones in Kwara’s healthcare journey.

Represented by the assistant director of medical laboratory services, Toyin Raji, the commissioner explained that the plants would serve as regional hubs for medical-grade oxygen production.

According to her, the plants will ensure a steady and affordable supply of this essential life-saving resource to hospitals across the state, particularly in Kwara North and Kwara South senatorial districts.

Ms El-Imam said, “Medical oxygen remains a critical life-saving resource used daily in neonatal care, surgeries, emergency treatments, and respiratory conditions. With these plants, our hospitals will now enjoy a reliable and affordable oxygen supply produced locally. That means more hope and better health outcomes for our patients and families.”

She expressed gratitude to the Global Fund for the generous support, describing the initiative as “a testament to shared commitment to quality healthcare”.

This, she said, was a reflection of the vision of Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq to make healthcare accessible and sustainable for all citizens in the state.

Ms El-Imam commended the Federal Ministry of Health, the National Agency for Control of AIDS, the dedicated technical teams, and the health workers who ensured the successful installation and testing of the plants.

Kingsley Onoja, the zonal coordinator of North Central Oxygen at the Federal Ministry of Health, who led the technical inspection and inauguration process, explained that the exercise involved testing all plant components.

He added that the air compressor, PSA oxygen generator, booster compressor, and filling ramp were also tested to verify oxygen purity and system efficiency.

Mr Onoja emphasised the need for sustainability, urging the state to establish an oxygen committee and implement a sustainable framework that would guarantee continuous operation beyond the plant’s five-year warranty period.

“The plants should not only produce oxygen but also generate revenue through sales, with proceeds reinvested in operations and maintenance,” he advised.

In his remarks, the chief medical director of Lafiaji General Hospital, Saliu Bolakale, commended the Global Fund and the state government “for the consistent investment in the health sector”.

He affirmed that the new oxygen plants would significantly enhance healthcare service delivery and save lives through reliable, home-grown oxygen production.

“This project marks a major advancement in our state’s healthcare infrastructure and demonstrates the government’s unwavering dedication to the well-being of the people,” he added.

(NAN)