FG moves to secure stable oxygen supply for maternal, emergency care
The Federal Government has reiterated the urgent need to secure a stable and sustainable oxygen supply across Nigeria’s healthcare system, describing oxygen security as critical to maternal health, emergency response, and pandemic preparedness.
Speaking at the 2026 edition of the National Oxygen Coordination Committee meeting in Abuja, the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Daju Kachollom, said the country must move beyond merely installing equipment to ensuring long-term functionality and sustainability.
She noted that during previous interventions, the government raced against time and logistics challenges by prioritising the deployment of infrastructure such as Pressure Swing Adsorption plants, liquid oxygen tanks, and oxygen optimisation equipment in health facilities nationwide.
“We were in a race against time and logistics, so we focused on the physical deployment of infrastructure—getting Pressure Swing Adsorption plants, liquid oxygen tanks, and oxygen optimisation equipment into our facilities,” she said.
According to her, while significant progress has been made in expanding oxygen infrastructure, the presence of equipment alone does not guarantee impact.
“Our theme, ‘Beyond Access’, is a call to honesty. We must acknowledge a hard truth: a machine that is not maintained, or a system that is not funded, is not a solution but a liability in disguise. In other words, it is no longer enough to have oxygen; we must guarantee oxygen,” she added.
Kachollom welcomed the participation of state Commissioners and Executive Secretaries at the meeting, describing their presence as a renewed commitment to implementing the national oxygen strategy.
She stressed that oxygen security remains central to improving the quality of healthcare delivery, particularly for maternal health services, emergency interventions, and future pandemic preparedness.
“The equipment we have installed is made of steel and sensors, but the system we are building is made of people, policy, and political will. We are not just buying machines; we are building a resilient ecosystem designed to outlive our current tenures and serve generations to come,” she said.
Also speaking, Dr. Gilbert Shetak, Head of the National Oxygen Desk at the ministry, reaffirmed the government’s commitment to expanding oxygen sustainability across hospitals nationwide.
Lekia Nwidae, Senior Programme Manager at the Clinton Health Access Initiative, commended the Federal Government and its development partners for their sustained collaboration in strengthening oxygen supply systems and urged stakeholders to consolidate progress made so far.
Nigeria continues to face significant challenges in oxygen access, particularly in the fight against childhood pneumonia, which remains the leading cause of death among children under five. Experts estimate that between 20 and 40 per cent of pneumonia-related deaths could be prevented with reliable access to medical oxygen therapy.
To address these gaps, partners including UNICEF, the Clinton Health Access Initiative, and FHI 360 have supported efforts to improve oxygen production, distribution, and infrastructure in hospitals across the country.
The Federal Ministry of Health has also launched the National Strategy for the Scale-Up of Medical Oxygen in Nigeria, 2023–2027, aimed at preventing deaths caused by hypoxemia and strengthening the overall resilience of the health system.
Officials say the interventions are already yielding positive results, with several hospitals reporting improved oxygen availability and reduced mortality rates, particularly in underserved communities.
