Kwara Govt Commissions Oxygen Plants in Lafiagi, Omu-Aran
The Kwara State Government has commissioned two state-of-the-art Pressure Swing Absorption (PSA) Oxygen Plants at the General Hospital, Lafiagi, and Thomas Adewumi Teaching Hospital, Omu-Aran, in a major boost to healthcare delivery across the state.
The oxygen plants, donated by the Global Fund, are designed to serve as regional hubs for medical-grade oxygen production, ensuring a reliable and affordable supply to hospitals across Kwara North and Kwara South senatorial districts.
Speaking during the technical commissioning ceremonies, the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Amina Ahmed El-Imam, represented by the Assistant Director of Medical Laboratory Services, Alhaji Toyin Raji, described the projects as “significant milestones in Kwara State’s healthcare journey.”
“Medical oxygen remains a critical life-saving resource used daily in neonatal care, surgeries, emergency treatments, and respiratory conditions. With these plants, our hospitals will now enjoy a reliable and affordable oxygen supply produced locally.
That means more hope and better health outcomes for our patients and families,” Dr. El-Imam said.
She expressed deep appreciation to the Global Fund for their generous support, noting that the initiative reflects the vision of Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, CON, to make healthcare accessible and sustainable for all Kwarans.
Dr. El-Imam also commended the Federal Ministry of Health, the National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA), and the technical teams involved in the installation and testing of the plants.
Leading the technical inspection and commissioning process, the Zonal Coordinator, North Central Oxygen, Federal Ministry of Health, Mr. Onoja Kingsley, said the exercise involved testing all components of the plants including the air compressor, PSA oxygen generator, booster compressor, and filling ramp to ensure oxygen purity and operational efficiency.
He emphasized the importance of sustainability, urging the Kwara State Government to establish a State Oxygen Committee to manage operations and maintenance effectively beyond the plant’s five-year warranty.
“The plants should not only produce oxygen but also generate revenue through sales, with proceeds reinvested in maintenance and operations,” Kingsley advised.
The Chief Medical Director of Lafiagi General Hospital, Dr. Saliu Bolakale, lauded both the Global Fund and the Kwara State Government for their continued investment in the health sector.
“This project marks a major advancement in our State’s healthcare infrastructure and demonstrates government’s unwavering dedication to the wellbeing of its people,” he affirmed.
The commissioning ceremonies were attended by representatives from the Federal Ministry of Health, Global Fund, NACA, and senior officials of the Kwara State Ministry of Health, who all hailed the project as a landmark achievement in the ongoing transformation of the state’s healthcare system.
