Kwara commissions Oxygen plants in Lafiagi, Omu-Aran to boost healthcare delivery
The Kwara State Government has commissioned two state-of-the-art Pressure Swing Absorption (PSA) Oxygen Plants donated by the Global Fund at the General Hospital, Lafiagi, and Thomas Adewumi Teaching Hospital, Omu-Aran, as part of efforts to strengthen healthcare delivery across the state.
The plants are expected to serve as regional hubs for medical-grade oxygen production, providing a steady and affordable supply to hospitals, especially in the Kwara North and Kwara South senatorial districts.
Speaking during the technical commissioning ceremonies, the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Amina Ahmed El-Imam, represented by the Assistant Director of Medical Laboratory Services, Alhaji Toyin Raji, described the project as a “significant milestone” in Kwara’s healthcare development.
“Medical oxygen remains a critical life-saving resource used daily in neonatal care, surgeries, emergency treatments, and respiratory conditions. 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 and families,” she said.
Dr. El-Imam expressed gratitude to the Global Fund for the donation, describing it as a testament to shared commitment to quality healthcare and a reflection of Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq’s vision to make healthcare accessible and sustainable for all Kwarans.
She also commended the Federal Ministry of Health, the National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA), and the technical teams and health workers involved in the project’s successful installation and testing.
The Zonal Coordinator, North Central Oxygen, Federal Ministry of Health, Mr. Onoja Kingsley, who led the technical inspection and commissioning process, explained that the exercise included testing key components such as the air compressor, PSA oxygen generator, booster compressor, and filling ramp to verify oxygen purity and system efficiency.
Kingsley emphasized the importance of sustainability, urging the state to establish a State Oxygen Committee and develop a framework to ensure continuous operation beyond the plants’ five-year warranty period.
“The plants should not only produce oxygen but also generate revenue through sales, with proceeds reinvested in operations and maintenance,” he said.
The Chief Medical Director of Lafiagi General Hospital, Dr. Saliu Bolakale, expressed appreciation to the Global Fund and the state government for their continued investment in the health sector, noting that the new facility would enhance healthcare service delivery and save more lives.
“This project marks a major advancement in our state’s healthcare infrastructure and demonstrates the government’s unwavering dedication to the wellbeing of its people,” he stated.
The commissioning ceremonies were attended by representatives from the Federal Ministry of Health, Global Fund, NACA, and top officials from the Kwara State Ministry of Health, who all lauded the initiative as a landmark achievement in the state’s ongoing health sector reforms.
