UNOPS, Japan donated 2 oxygen plants, others worth $2.3 million to Borno

UNOPS, Japan donated 2 oxygen plants, others worth $2.3 million to Borno

By: Olatunji Omirin

United Nations Office of Projects Services(UNOPS), People of Japan in Collaboration with North East Development Commission(NEDC) have donated two medical oxygen plants and solar direct drives worth $3.5 million to save lives of over 7 million people from pneumonia and other infectious diseases in Borno state.

Project Manager (UNOPS), Engr. Atinuke Fakunle stated during the handed over of oxygen plants at State Specialist Hospital in Maiduguri yesterday that it aimed at increased production of oxygen in Borno State for the treatment of acute respiratory complications.

She said, “This project will directly benefit approximately 7.1 people within 26 local government areas in Borno state, of which 24% are children and approximately 45% are women. Health centres in particular are becoming more vulnerable without Oxygen plants. Initially, it was $2.3 million projects, twith the support we received from NEDC and Japan government is around $3.5 million.

“At present, Borno State located in North East Nigeria has no functioning oxygen plant. The only functional one at University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital (UMTH) is now broken down. Now Health facilities rely on commercial purchase of cylinders and oxygen concentrator machines to cover selected secondary health facilities and thisarrangement is inadequate and not cost effective.

Also Read: NHRC Advocates Strong National Accountability Mechanisms to…

She disclosed that the projects would strengthen the health system of conflict-affected and hard to reach areas of Borno State, she added that it would increase vaccinations coverage due to efficient vaccines storage.

“The overall objective of this project is to strengthen healthcare provision, build resilience of health systems in conflict affected and hard to reach communities, and enable primary health care facilities to provide acceptable standards of medical care in the wake of COVID19 pandemic.

“The activities will seek to address the increasing vulnerability and mortality due to COVID19, compounded by the insurgency in Borno state.”Atiunke said.

While responding, NEDC Managing Director, Mohammed Alkali represented by Prof. Bobboi Umar said the Commission supported the project by offsetting custom duties and other seaport clearance costs in respect of the solar refrigerators and oxygen plants being handed over here.

“We appreciate the gesture of the Government of Japan by providing these facilities through a $2.3 million grant to improve the healthcare system in Borno State, the oxygen plants are well-deserved to address emergencies that requires critical provisions of medical grade oxygen such as acute respiratory diseases like pneumonia and asthma, which are leading causes of mortality in Nigeria.” he said.

Also, the medical director, State Specialist Hospital, Dr. Laraba Bello, noted that the Japanese government did not put the oxygen plant in the wrong place because, Borno State government believes in qualitative healthcare delivery.

In his remarks, the Permanent Secretary Ministry of Health and Human Services, Borno State, Dr. Aminu Ghuluze said the project came at right time, saying these oxygen plants, about 23 solar direct drive retrieve generator would supplied and distributed to the rural health facilities for vaccine and other critical supply management.  

“Its usefulness therefore can never be overemphasized, the ministry as part of the project’s sustainability has appointed d technical team to manage and maintain the plant. I want to assure all that the ministry will ensure continued maintenance othe f standards of this plant.

“Let me commend the collaboration among the government of Japan UNOPS NEDC and the state government to seeing this project coming to fusion despite daunting challenges posed by insecurity arising the g cost of commodities and materials.”Ghuluze thanked.

UNOPS, Japan donated 2 oxygen plants, others worth $2.3 million to Borno