UNICEF donates first fully Solar-Powered Oxygen Plant to Oyo govt

By Tobias Lengnan Dapam

The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has handed over the Nigeria’s first fully solar-powered Pressure Swing Adsorption Oxygen Gas Plant to the Jericho Specialist Hospital, Ibadan in Oyo State.

UNICEF in a statement issued on Wednesday said 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.

It said alongside Oyo State, another fully solar-powered plant will soon be handed over in Kano state, showcasing a revolutionary approach to sustainable healthcare.

The statement said 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.

“By producing oxygen on-site using solar power, the hospital can reduce its dependency on external suppliers, resulting in greater autonomy, cost efficiency, and minimized risk of supply chain disruptions, ensuring continuous patient care.

“The solar-powered oxygen plant offers numerous benefits. It provides a reliable energy source, reducing the risk of treatment interruptions due to power outages. The use of solar energy significantly lowers operational costs, freeing up resources for other essential healthcare needs. Additionally, solar power is an environmentally sustainable choice, aligning with global efforts to reduce carbon emissions and combat climate change. Furthermore, these energy solutions can be replicated and scaled to other locations, expanding the reach of these life-saving oxygen plants.
“In addition to the oxygen plant, UNICEF has furnished an advanced Level-2 newborn unit in the same hospital. This facility will provide specialized medical attention and care for small and/or sick newborns with severe complications. The unit will be supported by oxygen produced from the plant, enhancing the hospital’s capacity to provide comprehensive care for these vulnerable patients. The newborn unit is funded by generous contributions from The Gates Foundation, the statement 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,” said Ms. Cristian Munduate, UNICEF Representative in Nigeria.
The Oyo State Government expressed gratitude for this transformative addition to its healthcare infrastructure.
“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 the Oyo States’ 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,” said Engineer Seyi Makinde FNSE, DSC, GSSRC, the Executive Governor of Oyo State.
These oxygen plants are among many being constructed by UNICEF, with generous support from partners including IHS Towers, and governments of Canada, and Norway. So far, oxygen plants have been constructed and handed over to state governments in Ogun, Kaduna, Cross Rivers and Eboniyi. 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.