The United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) has handed over the world’s first fully solar-powered Pressure Swing Adsorption Oxygen Gas Plant to the Jericho Specialist Hospital in Ibadan, Oyo State.
This innovative solution, created by Em-One, emerged as the winner of UNICEF’s innovation challenge and was funded by the Government of Norway and other partners.
UNICEF, in a statement on its website on Wednesday, said alongside Oyo State, another fully solar-powered plant will soon be handed over in Kano State, showcasing a revolutionary approach to sustainable healthcare.
According to the statement, the new solar-powered oxygen plant can fill 135 cylinders (20-litre bottles) in 24 hours. It can provide 720,000 litres of medical oxygen within the same time frame. This capacity ensures that 100 children with severe pneumonia or 50-60 COVID-19 patients can receive round-the-clock oxygen treatment simultaneously.
The statement said that the oxygen generation plant is designed to provide a consistent and adequate supply of oxygen to the hospital, essential for patients with respiratory issues, post-surgical patients, those in intensive care, and others needing supplemental oxygen.
It added that by producing oxygen on-site using solar power, the hospital can reduce its dependency on external suppliers, resulting in greater autonomy, cost efficiency, and minimised risk of supply chain disruptions, ensuring continuous patient care.
UNICEF Representative in Nigeria, Ms Cristian Munduate, said: “On behalf of UNICEF, I am proud to inaugurate this pioneering solar-powered oxygen plant in Oyo State. This innovative solution made possible through our partnership with the Government of Norway and the ingenuity of Em-One, marks a significant advancement in our mission to provide reliable and sustainable healthcare solutions. This plant will ensure that children and other patients receive uninterrupted, life-saving oxygen.”
Governor of Oyo State, Seyi Makinde, expressed gratitude for this transformative addition to its healthcare infrastructure.
He said: “The handover of this state-of-the-art Oxygen Gas Plant is a monumental achievement for Oyo State. We deeply appreciate the efforts of UNICEF, IHS Towers, and the Governments of Canada and Norway. This is in line with Oyo State’s Omituntun 2.0 commitment to ensuring that every citizen has access to quality healthcare. This plant will significantly enhance our capacity to provide essential medical care, ensuring our healthcare system’s resilience and sustainability.”
These oxygen plants are among many being constructed by UNICEF, with generous support from partners including IHS Towers and the governments of Canada and Norway.
So far, oxygen plants have been constructed and handed over to state governments in Ogun, Kaduna, Cross River, and Ebonyi. Additional plants in Bauchi, Yobe, Rivers, and Kano are in the final stages of completion and will be handed over to state governments in 2024.
