Global Fund establishes oxygen plant in Niger

The Global Fund is set to donate an established oxygen plant in Suleja to the Niger State government.

The disclosure was made by the Hon. Commissioner of the Ministry of Secondary and Tertiary Health, Dr. Bello Tukur, during an inspection visit to the plant site located at the General Hospital in Suleja.

Accompanied by several directors from the Ministry and a representative from the Ministry of Power and Renewable Energy, Dr. Tukur, represented by the Director of Medical Services and Training, Dr. Abubakar Usman Bosso, explained that the visit aimed to assess the progress of the project. The plant is set to be commissioned by the Hon. Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Ali Pate, before being handed over to the Niger State government.

He stressed that the plant would be the first of its kind owned by the state and would be operated by the donor for a period of ten years.

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According to him, the success of this project is crucial, as it will not only serve the local community but also generate revenue by supplying oxygen to both public and private hospitals in Niger State and neighboring areas.

He also highlighted the state’s responsibility to fuel the 150-liter, 800kVA generator and connect the facility to the National Grid, adding that they have reached out to the Ministry of Power and Renewable Energy regarding this connection. Dr. Adedokun A. Adebayo, the Medical Director of General Hospital Suleja, expressed enthusiasm about the oxygen plant, noting that the hospital previously had to procure oxygen from Maitama Hospital.

He confirmed that the project began in 2023 through the Federal Ministry of Health and an NGO committed to building, equipping, and maintaining the plant for a decade. The building is complete, and equipment assembly will commence shortly.

However, he raised concerns over security issues in Suleja, emphasizing the need for increased security personnel to protect the facility from theft and vandalism. He urged the authorities to ensure adequate protection while also calling for the Maintenance Department to prioritize the assembly and upkeep of the plant.

Furthermore, he appealed to the Ministry of Power and Renewable Energy to expedite the process of connecting the plant to the National Grid as soon as possible.

This development marks a significant step toward enhancing healthcare services in Niger State and addressing oxygen supply challenges faced by local hospitals.