Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State, on Wednesday, inaugurated the first solar-powered Medical Oxygen Pressure Swing Adsorption Plant, along with a level 2 Newborn Unit, at the Jericho Specialist Hospital in Ibadan, Oyo State.
The PSA medical oxygen plant is supported by UNICEF, IHS Towers, the governments of Norway and Canada, as well as the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
Unveiling the plant, the governor praised UNICEF, IHS, and the federal Ministry of Health, stating that Oyo State used the COVID-19 pandemic as a catalyst to develop the facility.
“Although, no one is praying for another outbreak of COVID-19, but it is always better to prepare and there is no better way to be prepared than to have a facility like this,” he said.
Speaking on the roadmap, he said, “We may not be remembered for building roads, but we will be remembered for building strong institutions that will ensure that Oyo state runs predictably for so many years after our tenure.
During the handover, UNICEF Representative Ms. Cristian Munduate praised Oyo State for achieving a triple milestone in enhancing maternal and newborn health care in Nigeria.
Munduate stated that installing the solar-powered medical oxygen plant is a groundbreaking achievement, as oxygen is a vital life-saving intervention, especially for newborns and children with pneumonia and other respiratory illnesses.
She said: “By harnessing solar power, we ensure reliable and sustainable oxygen supply, even in times of limited electricity. This plant is a beacon of innovation and resilience, promising to save countless lives and provide a model for similar initiatives across the country.
“Additionally, the Level 2 Newborn Unit established here at Jericho Specialist Hospital is equipped with state-of-the-art equipment and staffed by trained healthcare professionals dedicated to providing specialized care for premature and critically ill newborns.
“This unit will significantly reduce neonatal mortality rates and improve health outcomes for our youngest and most vulnerable population.”
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