Muhammadu Buhari Specialist Hospital Gets Oxygen Plant from UNICEF,IHS and Partners to Strengthen Healthcare Delivery
A new medical oxygen plant was officially inaugurated and handed over to the Kano State Government on Tuesday at the Muhammadu Buhari Specialist Hospital.
The life-saving facility is the product of a collaborative effort between the state government, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), IHS Towers Nigeria, and the Governments of Canada and Norway.
The plant, equipped with an advanced Pressure Swing Absorption (PSA) system, is designed to provide a reliable and high-quality supply of medical oxygen, crucial for treating severe respiratory illnesses in newborns, children, and other vulnerable patients.
Mr. Dapo Otunla, Vice President of IHS Towers of strength , who represented the company’s Chief Executive Officer, revealed that the Kano facility is part of a broader nationwide initiative. He stated that the project aims to strengthen oxygen supply chains in hospitals across the country.
Industrialist Urges Kano Government to Revive Manufacturing, Reclaim Historic Commercial Status
“What we witnessed today is the product of a partnership we announced with UNICEF in 2022 to strengthen oxygen supply for the treatment of pneumonia, COVID-19, and other hypoxia disorders, particularly among newborns and pregnant women,” Otunla said.
He announced that the programme has successfully installed nine oxygen plants across Nigeria, located in Rivers, Bauchi, Kaduna, Ebonyi, Cross River, Yobe, and Kano states.
These plants became operational in March 2024 and have already made a substantial impact, producing over 103,000 litres of medical oxygen and serving an estimated 1,500 to 2,500 patients monthly.
Beyond the physical infrastructure, Mr. Otunla emphasized the programme’s focus on sustainability and capacity building, noting that healthcare workers have been trained to administer oxygen therapy safely and efficiently.
“For us at IHS Nigeria, sustainability and societal impact are at the very core of our DNA. This initiative not only strengthens healthcare systems but also demonstrates the power of collaboration in advancing SDG 3 – good health and wellbeing,” he added.
The UNICEF Representative in Nigeria, Mrs. Wafaa Sa’eed, commended all the partners for their critical support. She described oxygen as “a life-saving matter” and affirmed that the project would greatly benefit children and patients in need of critical care.
Mrs. Sa’eed also highlighted the plant’s sustainable design, noting, “This project is fantastic, not only because of its health impact, but also because it runs on solar energy. At a time when climate change and high fuel costs are challenges, the solarisation makes it more sustainable.”
She praised the Kano State Government for its leadership and commitment to health and education, assuring that UNICEF and its partners would continue to work to expand this vital initiative to more states.
The Kano State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Abubakar Labaran, represented by the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Aminu Bashir, expressed profound gratitude to UNICEF and its partners for the gesture.
He reiterated the state government’s unwavering commitment to improving healthcare delivery and ensuring the new facility is maintained and utilized to its fullest potential to save lives.
The inauguration of the oxygen plant marks a critical step forward in enhancing Kano’s ability to respond to medical emergencies and provide quality care, especially for its youngest and most vulnerable citizens.