By Gbemiga Olamikan.
Oyo State Government has gotten a big gift on a day that will always be in the memory of everyone, the day is May 29th, that another grace located the state. This is a gift that a state, should always look forward to get from a sound development partners like UNICEF.
UNICEF in a groundbreaking development delivered a healthcare facility of world’s first fully solar-powered Pressure Swing Adsorption Oxygen Gas Plant to the Jericho Specialist Hospital, Ibadan in Oyo State. This innovative solution, created by Em-One who emerged as the winner of UNICEF’s innovation challenge and was funded by the Government of Norway and other partners.
It should be noted that apart from Oyo State that has gotten this grace, another state will soon be enjoying same thing as UNICF will hand fully solar-powered plant over to Kano State, to showcase a revolutionary approach to sustainable healthcare. The oxygen generation plant is designed to provide a consistent and adequate supply of oxygen to the hospital that is essential for patients with respiratory issues, post-surgical patients, those in intensive care, and others that may need supplemental oxygen. The new solar-powered oxygen plant can fill 135 cylinders (20-liter bottles) in a 24-hour period. It can provide 720,000 liters of medical oxygen within the same time frame. This capacity ensures that 100 children with severe pneumonia or 50-60 COVID-19 patients can receive round-the-clock oxygen treatment simultaneously.
By producing oxygen on-site using solar power, the hospital can reduce its dependency on external suppliers, resulting in greater autonomy, cost efficiency, and minimized risk of supply chain disruptions, ensuring continuous patient care. The solar-powered oxygen plant offers numerous benefits. It provides a reliable energy source, reducing the risk of treatment interruptions due to power outages. The use of solar energy significantly lowers operational costs, freeing up resources for other essential healthcare needs. It is also noted that, solar power is an environmentally sustainable choice, aligning with global efforts to reduce carbon emissions and combat climate change. Furthermore, these energy solutions can be replicated and scaled to other locations, expanding the reach of these life-saving oxygen plants.
In addition to the oxygen plant, UNICEF has furnished an advanced Level-2 new-born unit in the same hospital. This facility will provide specialized medical attention and care for small and/or sick new-borns with severe complications. The unit will be supported by oxygen produced from the plant, enhancing the hospital’s capacity to provide comprehensive care for these vulnerable patients. The new-born unit is funded by generous contributions from The Gates Foundation.
Speaking at the presentation, UNICEF Representative in Nigeria, Ms. Cristian Munduate stated that “On behalf of UNICEF, I am proud to inaugurate this pioneering solar-powered oxygen plant in Oyo State. This innovative solution, made possible through our partnership with the Government of Norway and the ingenuity of Em-One, marks a significant advancement in our mission to provide reliable and sustainable healthcare solutions. This plant will ensure that children and other patients receive uninterrupted, life-saving oxygen”.
Reacting to the gesture received by the state, the Governor of the State, Engineer Seyi Makinde who expressed gratitude for the transformative addition to healthcare infrastructure in the state stated that, “the handover of this state-of-the-art Oxygen Gas Plant is a monumental achievement for Oyo State. We deeply appreciate the efforts of UNICEF, IHS Towers, and the Governments of Canada and Norway. This is in line with the Oyo States’ Omituntun 2.0 commitment to ensuring that every citizen has access to quality healthcare. This plant will significantly enhance our capacity to provide essential medical care, ensuring our healthcare system’s resilience and sustainability,”.
