The Ebonyi State Government has renewed its commitment to improving healthcare delivery through stronger medical oxygen infrastructure, technical expertise and collaboration with key stakeholders in the health sector.
The commitment was reaffirmed by Governor Francis Nwifuru during the First Stakeholders’ Engagement and Co-Creation Workshop on the Medical Oxygen Economy, held in Abakaliki under the EQUI-RESP Africa Research Project.
The governor, represented by his Deputy, Princess Patricia Obila, said the state recognises medical oxygen as an essential component of healthcare and a critical resource for saving lives.
The workshop was organised by David Umahi Federal University of Health Sciences (DUFUHS) in partnership with the University of Edinburgh, United Kingdom, with support from the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR), UK.
Obila explained that the Ebonyi State Government had already taken steps to expand access to medical oxygen by establishing oxygen production facilities in major healthcare institutions across the state.
According to her, oxygen plants have been commissioned at Alex Ekwueme Federal University Teaching Hospital, Abakaliki (AE-FUTHA), Onicha General Hospital and Mater Hospital.
However, she noted that infrastructure alone could not guarantee a reliable and sustainable medical oxygen supply without adequately trained personnel capable of operating, maintaining and managing the facilities.
She therefore urged stakeholders at the workshop to assess existing oxygen infrastructure across Ebonyi, identify gaps in equipment and manpower, and develop practical recommendations that could inform future government interventions.
The Deputy Governor assured participants that the state government would continue to support evidence-based initiatives aimed at building a dependable and sustainable medical oxygen economy in Ebonyi State.
Speaking earlier, the Vice Chancellor of DUFUHS and Nigerian/State Lead Principal Investigator of the EQUI-RESP project, Prof. Jesse Uneke, said the workshop was designed to bring together government officials, healthcare professionals, researchers, development partners and other stakeholders to address challenges affecting access to medical oxygen.
Uneke described medical oxygen as a vital but often overlooked part of Nigeria’s healthcare system. He said difficulties in accessing and administering oxygen contribute significantly to preventable deaths across the country.
He disclosed that the EQUI-RESP project had entered its second phase, with its focus now shifting towards medical oxygen and strengthening oxygen systems within healthcare facilities.
According to him, the project is intended to generate research evidence that can help close the gap between health research, government policy and clinical practice.
He also recalled that the first phase of the project focused on respiratory health interventions among workers and residents in industrial communities in Ebonyi State, including the Onueke quarry site, Abakaliki rice mill and timber market.
Between 300 and 400 people reportedly benefited from free respiratory diagnosis, treatment and support during that phase.
Uneke further stated that Nigeria is among five African countries participating in the EQUI-RESP project, alongside Côte d’Ivoire, Kenya, South Africa and Cameroon, with research centres established in Ebonyi and Lagos.
He attributed Ebonyi’s participation to the state’s supportive research environment and its commitment to healthcare development.
Also speaking, the Chief Medical Director of AE-FUTHA, Prof. Robinson Onoh, described the initiative as a multi-country and multi-centre project focused on addressing major healthcare challenges.
Onoh commended Governor Nwifuru for supporting the establishment of medical oxygen production facilities in Ebonyi, noting that the state previously had limited oxygen production infrastructure.
He recalled that the COVID-19 pandemic exposed serious weaknesses in Nigeria’s medical oxygen supply system, highlighting the need for increased local production and better maintenance of oxygen plants.
The workshop provided an opportunity for stakeholders to discuss strategies for improving medical oxygen production, distribution, technical capacity and sustainability, with the broader goal of strengthening healthcare delivery and access to life-saving oxygen services in Ebonyi State and Nigeria.
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