The United Nations Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) delivered a crucial oxygen plant to the Olabisi Onabanjo University Teaching Hospital in Sagamu on Tuesday.

The purpose behind this generous act is to ensure an ample and affordable supply of oxygen for patients grappling with various ailments, including COVID-19, bronchitis, pneumonia, and hypoxemia.

This vital oxygen plant, a donation from UNICEF in collaboration with IHS, is set to produce an impressive 300 liters of oxygen per minute.

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The event, attended by distinguished figures such as the Secretary to the State Government, Mr. Tokunbo Talabi, the Akarigbo and Paramount Ruler of Remoland, Oba Babatunde Adewale Ajayi, and other notable personalities, marked a milestone in the healthcare infrastructure of the region.

Speaking at the event, Ms. Celine Lafoucriere, the Chief of Field Office, UNICEF Lagos, emphasized the plant’s potential benefits for the people of the state, particularly newborns and pregnant women.

Lafoucriere expressed optimism that the oxygen plant’s contribution would positively impact the lives of those suffering from pneumonia and hypoxemia disorders.

Highlighting the critical role of oxygen in medical care, Lafoucriere stressed its significance in treating respiratory illnesses and supporting healthcare provisions like emergency obstetric care, surgery, and anesthesia.

She pointed out that the scarcity and high cost of oxygen contribute to health challenges and can increase mortality due to pneumonia by 35%.

Drawing attention to the broader goal of preventing child deaths from preventable causes, Lafoucriere asserted UNICEF’s commitment to collaborating with governments to make quality healthcare accessible and affordable.

She congratulated the Ogun State Government and commended the Commissioner for Health for their dedication, which played a role in establishing the oxygen plant.

Governor Abiodun, represented by Mr. Tokunbo Talabi, expressed gratitude to UNICEF for the donation, assuring that the facility would be put to optimal use.

Commissioner for Health, Dr. Tomi Coker, added that the plant would enhance the affordability and accessibility of oxygen for end-users.

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Plans are underway, she noted, to establish three additional oxygen plants in Abeokuta and one in Ota.

Dr. Olubunmi Fatungase, the Chief Medical Director of the Olabisi Onabanjo University Teaching Hospital, highlighted the plant’s significance in elevating the healthcare delivery capacity of the institution.

Notably, while situated at OOUTH, the oxygen plant is intended to serve all health institutions within and outside the state, marking a pioneering effort in the establishment of a state-owned oxygen plant in Nigeria.