Governor of Cross River State, Senator Bassey Otu, has applauded the United Nations Children’s Fund and IHS Towers, in collaboration with the government of Canada, for donating an oxygen plant to the Cross River State government, situated at the General Hospital, Calabar.
Commissioning the project, the governor, represented by his deputy, Hon Peter Odey, expressed confidence that the Pressure Swing Absorption Oxygen Plant would make a meaningful difference in the lives of countless citizens in the state.
He appreciated UNICEF for the gesture, insisting that the state government would pay a regular visit to the plant to monitor its usage and functionality.
He called on the General Hospital management to make judicious use of the plant.
UNICEF representative, Ms Cristian Mundate, said in addition to the oxygen plant, 250 health workers across all three tiers, as well as biomedical engineers and technicians, had been trained in managing illnesses causing low oxygen concentration, the correct use of oxygen therapy, and the maintenance and repair of oxygen delivery equipment.
She said, “In addition to this oxygen plant, the state has also received numerous oxygen-delivery devices from UNICEF and its partners, which are also being commissioned for service today.
“We will continue to collaborate with your government to enhance the capacity of health workers to deliver high-impact interventions for women, newborns and children. We will continue to provide technical support and strengthen systems for service delivery. Our ultimate goal is to contribute to making this state rank among the best in the country in key indicators of maternal and child health.
Mundate, who was represented by the Chief of Field Office, Enugu UNICEF, Juliet Chiluwe, maintained that the commitment was aimed at strengthening the healthcare system and ensuring access to life-saving medical oxygen, particularly for the most vulnerable population.
Earlier, in a welcome address, the state Commissioner for Health, Dr Henry Egbe Ayuk thanked UNICEF for training state-based engineers that will manage the facility.
He noted that the facility is a money-spinning facility whose IGR can sustain the entire hospital.
He added that plans are underway to establish another oxygen plant in Ogoja General Hospital, even as he appealed to UNICEF and other partners to facilitate the establishment of such a facility in Ugep, in the Central senatorial district of the state.