Plateau State Government Commissions Pressure Swing Adsorption Oxygen Plants in Pankshin and Shendam

The Plateau State Government has promised to promote quality, accessible and affordable healthcare services for the people of the State. Plateau State Commissioner for Health, Doctor Nicholas Baamlong, stated this at the commissioning and handover of a Pressure Swing Adsorption (PSA) Oxygen Plant at the General Hospital in Pankshin and later at General Hospital Shendam.

The event was attended by dignitaries from the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Global Fund, Plateau State Ministry of Health, and both Local Government Councils. Others include Traditional rulers, Security agencies, and Health personnel from both General Hospitals.

The project funded by Global Fund is a collaborative effort between the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare and the Plateau State Government. In his remark, the Honorable Commissioner Plateau State Ministry of Health Dr Nicolas Ba’amlong stressed the importance of proper maintenance of the facilities to ensure better productivity. Doctor Baamlong emphasized the significance of collaboration among stakeholders in sustaining the healthcare initiative of the present administration.

Also speaking on the executive order suspending the mining activities in Plateau State, the Commissioner explained that the decision was to ensure the safety of lives and property of citizens, particularly those living around the mining communities. He urged all citizens in the State to see this as a good move aimed at sanitizing the mining sector and curbing criminal activities as well as attracting legitimate investments for the best interest of the state.

Representative of the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Nurse Nnena Godwin, disclosed that two Pressure Swing Adsorption Oxygen Plants are located in Plateau State out of the sixty-three across the Country. She explained that the COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the need for adequate Oxygen supply, prompting the donor agency to initiate the project.

Biplang Zakariah of the Global Fund and National Agency for the Control of Aids NACA said that the COVID-19 pandemic exposed the world to various dangers, leading to measures being put in place to prevent future occurrences. The Chief Medical Director of the Plateau State Hospital Management Board, Doctor Benjamin Sumi assured that the facilities will be utilized effectively and any person found misusing them will face sanctions.

On his part, the Director of Medical Services, Doctor Stephen Bishmang, appreciated the Government and the stakeholders for siting two of the projects in Plateau, ensuring that measures will be taken to maintain and sustain the facilities. Chairmen of Pankshin and Shendam Local Government Areas through their representatives, in their separate remarks commended the Plateau State Governor for his administration’s unwavering support for healthcare reforms across the state, emphasizing that such backing has been instrumental in driving the State’s efforts.

The Ngolong Ngas Nde Jika Golit represented by his Chief of Staff Fabian Piapun appreciated the stakeholders for siting the oxygen plant in his area, assuring collaboration for optimal operation. Engineer Akinwale Ojo took dignitaries on a tour of the facilities, informing them that training would be provided for maintenance over the next five years.

Earlier in a welcome address, the Desk Officer of the Plateau State Medical Oxygen Programme, Doctor Bapigaan William explained that during the COVID-19 pandemic, it was realized that there are a lot of gaps in the health system in the Country as far as Oxygen is concerned and this necessitated a coalition to be formed to ensure that Nigeria improves on healthcare delivery in terms of production and sustainability of oxygen across the different states in the Country and that coalition led by Global Fund in conjunction with the National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA) from which were able to achieve many things in Oxygen landscape in Plateau State and beyond.