FROM SAMSON ALFA, MINNA
Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Dr Ali Pate will soon commission the oxygen plants donated by Global Fund to Niger State.
Commissioner for Secondary and Tertiary Health, Dr Bello Tukur, disclosed this during an inspection visit to the plant site located at the General Hospital in Suleja.
The commissioner, who was represented by the Director of Medical Services and Training in the ministry, Dr Abubakar Bosso, explained that the visit was aimed at assessing the progress of the project.
According to the commissioner, the plant will be the first of its kind owned by the state government and will be operated by the donor for a period of 10 years.
“As it is, the plant is set to be commissioned by the minister of health and social welfare before it is handed over to the state government, adding that the project will not only serve the local community, but also generate revenue.”
The commissioner said when commissioned, government will be supplying oxygen to public and private hospitals in Niger State and neighbouring states.
He pointed out that the sole responsibility of the state is to fuel the 150-liter, 800kva generator and also connect the facility to the national grid, through the Ministry of Power and Renewable Energy.
In his address, the Medical Director of Suleja General Hospital, Dr Adedokun Adebayo said the oxygen plant will reduce several requests about oxygen, adding that they usually procure oxygen from Maitama Hospital in Abuja.
He stated that the project which began in 2023 through the Federal Ministry of Health in collaboration with an NGO, is committed to building, equipping and maintaining the plant.
He, however, emphasised the need for security in Suleja, and called for increased security personnel to protect the facility from theft and vandalisation.
