The Country Director of the United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) in Nigeria, Cristian Munduate, yesterday, joined Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State to inaugurate a state-of-the-art solarised oxygen plant and Level Two Newborn Unit in Ibadan. The commissioning held at the Jericho Hospital, Ibadan, was aimed at bolstering healthcare infrastructure.
Makinde and Munduate said the facility would significantly reduce neonatal mortality rates and improve health outcomes for our youngest and most vulnerable population. Makinde said the solarised oxygen plant represents a groundbreaking leap in his agenda for sustainable healthcare solutions in the state.
According to Makinde, any project that improves the welfare of the people is critical and important to his administration. The governor noted that the healthcare facility, powered by renewable energy sources, would ensure uninterrupted oxygen supply, critical for life-saving interventions in the state.
Makinde lauded the collaborative efforts of all stakeholders and international partners such as UNICEF, IHS Towers, the Governments of Norway and Canada, and Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, underscoring the significance of partnerships in achieving sustainable development.
Munduate said: ”By harnessing solar power, we ensure reliable and sustainable oxygen supply, even in times of limited electricity. This plant is a beacon of innovation and resilience, promising to save countless lives and provide a model for similar initiatives across the country.
”Additionally, the Level 2 Newborn Unit established here at Jericho Specialist Hospital is equipped with state-of-the-art equipment and staffed by trained healthcare professionals dedicated to providing specialized care for premature and critically ill newborns. This unit will significantly reduce neonatal mortality rates and improve health outcomes for our youngest and most vulnerable population.
”Today, we also launched the Oyo State Strategy for the Scale-Up of Medical Oxygen in Health Facilities. This strategy is a comprehensive roadmap designed to ensure that every health facility in the state is equipped with the necessary resources to provide medical oxygen”.
Dr. Oluwaserimi Ajetumobi, the Commissioner for Health said the facility is the first of its kind in Nigeria. She said the launch of the Oyo State Strategy for the scale-up of Medical Oxygen in Health Facilities (2024-2028) will put Oyo State on the global map as a front-line first-class healthcare service delivery in Nigeria.
She added that the milestones marked a significant achievement for the Series Makinde-led government and its partners including the UNICEF, IHS Towers, the Governments of Norway, Canada, and Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation who she said have contributed tỉrelessly to bring the projects to fruition.
