By Awwal Umar Kontagora The Honourable Commissioner for the Ministry of Secondary and Tertiary Health in Niger State, Dr. Bello ...
By Awwal Umar Kontagora
The Honourable Commissioner for the Ministry of Secondary and Tertiary Health in Niger State, Dr. Bello Tukur, has disclosed that the Global Fund will soon establish an oxygen plant in the state.
The announcement was made during an inspection visit to the plant site located within the General Hospital, Suleja. The commissioner was represented by the Director of Medical Services and Training, Dr. Abubakar Usman Bosso, and was accompanied by directors from the ministry and a representative from the Ministry of Power and Renewable Energy.
Dr. Bosso explained that the visit was to assess the project's progress ahead of its commissioning by the Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Ali Pate. Once commissioned, the plant will be handed over to the Niger State Government. He revealed that the facility will be operated by the donor for a period of ten years and will be the first oxygen plant to be owned by the state.
“The success of this project is vital, as it will not only serve the local community but will also generate revenue through the supply of oxygen to both public and private hospitals within Niger State and neighboring states,” he said. He also noted the need to address security lapses observed at the facility.
The director further disclosed that the state government is responsible for fueling a 150-liter, 800kVA generator for the plant, as well as connecting it to the national electricity grid. He confirmed that discussions were ongoing with the Ministry of Power and Renewable Energy to ensure timely connection.
Also speaking, the Medical Director of General Hospital Suleja, Dr. Adedokun A. Adebayo, expressed optimism about the impact of the plant. He noted that the hospital had previously relied on Maitama Hospital for oxygen supply and described the project as a major milestone.
Dr. Adebayo stated that the project, which began in 2023, was initiated by the Federal Ministry of Health in collaboration with an NGO responsible for the construction, equipping, and maintenance of the facility for a decade. He said construction of the building had been completed, and equipment installation would begin shortly.
However, he raised concerns about the security situation in Suleja and called for increased deployment of security personnel to safeguard the facility from theft and vandalism. He also urged the Maintenance Department to expedite equipment installation and maintenance planning.
Additionally, Dr. Adebayo appealed to the Ministry of Power and Renewable Energy to fast-track the connection of the facility to the national grid.
This initiative marks a significant step toward strengthening the healthcare system in Niger State and improving access to lifesaving oxygen for hospitals across the region.
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