By Christian Njoku
CALABAR (CONVERSEER) – The National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA) has asserted that the 10,000-litre oxygen plant donated to the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital (UCTH) was among South-South’s most comprehensive.
This was disclosed by NACA’s Director-General, Dr Temitope Ilori, on Thursday during an inspection of the facility in Calabar, donated under the Global Fund C19 RM grant facilitated by the Federal Government under President Bola Tinubu.
She explained that the Global Fund C19 RM grant, domiciled in NACA, was designed to strengthen Nigeria’s health systems after COVID-19 through essential medical infrastructure and equipment.
“UCTH is a major beneficiary, receiving a 10,000-litre oxygen plant, more than 400 cylinders, humidifiers, concentrators and pulse oximeters to support emergency and critical care services.
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Ilori said the agency was satisfied that the equipment was being used effectively for public health services, fulfilling the purpose for which the intervention was provided.
She said the grant also supported fully functional PSA oxygen plants in Ogoja, currently delivering services to the surrounding communities, with another in Ikom yet to be inaugurated.
Stressing the need for deliberate efforts to sustain the facilities, she noted that the Global Fund secured five-year warranty and maintenance contracts, including spare parts support, for the newly installed oxygen plants.
“Cross River has received one of the most comprehensive oxygen system upgrades in the South-South, valued at about 800,000 dollars.
“The strengthened infrastructure at UCTH and expanded oxygen capacity in Ogoja and Ikom position Cross River to deliver safer and more reliable oxygen therapy services,” she noted.
She said collaboration among the Federal Ministry of Health, NACA and the Cross River Government was critical for optimal use of the investments.
Ilori, however, added that sustained achievements of the facilities would require strong state ownership, skilled manpower and continuous operational and maintenance support.
Responding, UCTH’s Chief Medical Director, Prof. Ikpeme Ikpeme, said the hospital runs the plant under a revolving fund model to guarantee sustainability.
He said revenue from the plant was paid into a TSA sub-account for maintenance, servicing and refilling of the oxygen tank when required.
Ikpeme said the plant currently served the hospital’s needs before supplying other facilities, stressing that the measure was necessary due to high demand.
He said UCTH remained the largest functioning health institution in Cross River, with substantial oxygen needs from its Intensive Care Unit (ICU), pediatric ICU and Special Care Unit.
The CMD said the new Accident and Emergency complex in the hospital will expand capacity with additional ICUs, neonatal units, trauma theatres and emergency beds.
According to him, “Oxygen shortages ended two years ago with the plant’s installation which marked a significant turning point in critical care delivery.
“The quality of oxygen produced at the plant is excellent and superior to what is obtained from many PSA machines in the region.
“Many hospitals no longer rely on uncertified oxygen sources because UCTH and other oxygen plants in the state now supply reliable, high-grade medical oxygen.”
