Projects to boost access to life-saving oxygen supply across Kwara North and South
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The Kwara State Government has commissioned two state-of-the-art Pressure Swing Absorption (PSA) Oxygen Plants at the General Hospital, Lafiagi, and the Thomas Adewumi Teaching Hospital, Omu-Aran. The projects, donated by the Global Fund, mark another major step in the state’s effort to strengthen healthcare delivery and emergency response capacity.
The plants are designed to serve as regional hubs for the production of medical-grade oxygen, ensuring a steady, affordable, and locally sourced supply to hospitals across Kwara State, particularly in the northern and southern senatorial districts.
Speaking at the technical commissioning ceremonies, Commissioner for Health Dr. Amina Ahmed El-Imam, represented by the Assistant Director of Medical Laboratory Services, Alhaji Toyin Raji, described the initiative as a significant milestone in the state’s healthcare journey.
“Medical oxygen remains a critical life-saving resource used daily in neonatal care, surgeries, and respiratory treatments. 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,” she said.
Dr. El-Imam expressed appreciation to the Global Fund for its generous support and to the Federal Ministry of Health and the National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA) for their collaboration. She said the initiative aligns with Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq’s vision to make healthcare accessible, affordable, and sustainable for all Kwarans.
Zonal Coordinator for North Central Oxygen at the Federal Ministry of Health, Mr. Onoja Kingsley, who led the technical inspection, said all components of the plants—including the air compressor, PSA oxygen generator, booster compressor, and filling ramp—were tested and certified for efficiency and purity.
He advised the state to establish an Oxygen Committee and create a sustainability plan to ensure the plants’ continuous operation beyond their five-year warranty period. “The plants should not only produce oxygen but also generate revenue through sales, with proceeds reinvested in maintenance and operations,” he added.
Chief Medical Director of Lafiagi General Hospital, Dr. Saliu Bolakale, commended the state government and the Global Fund for their commitment to improving healthcare infrastructure. He said the plant would enhance service delivery and save countless lives through reliable oxygen access.
“This project marks a major advancement in our healthcare infrastructure and demonstrates government’s consistent dedication to the wellbeing of its people,” he said.
The event was attended by representatives of the Global Fund, NACA, the Federal Ministry of Health, and senior officials from the Kwara State Ministry of Health, who all described the commissioning as a landmark achievement in the state’s ongoing health sector transformation.
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