Lagos State Government has activated an Oxygen Plant within the premises of the Infectious Diseases Hospital (IDH), Yaba to provide support to COVID-19 patients who require oxygen therapy.
Commissioner for Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi activated the plant amidst the increase demand for oxygen at the isolation centre, caused by the second wave of COVID-19 infection.
Abayomi noted that the deployment and activation of the oxygen plant is in furtherance of the commitment of the State government to deploy effective response to the COVID19 pandemic.
He explained that the increased demand for oxygen to treat COVID-19 patients in the second wave of the pandemic necessitated activation of oxygen generation capacity in the state.
While noting that the oxygen plant was built in collaboration with the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Abayomi explained that the oxygen from the newly installed plant will be administered to patients through cylinders made available at hospital wards.
The Commissioner added that the operation of the plant will significantly make oxygen available for COVID-19 patients and supply about 300 cylinders per day and six cylinders per hour for use of patients admitted at the isolation facility.
“We recognized the importance of generating oxygen because of the large number of patients who are currently on admission in our isolation centres and are largely depending on oxygen. This has resulted in an escalating and alarming demand for oxygen.
“The oxygen plant facility could not have come at a better time than now, when the State is recording an increase in the number of people presenting with difficulty in breathing and requiring urgent oxygen therapy,” he added.
Abayomi disclosed that about 300 cylinders of gas is being used a day in the State isolation facility, stressing that a patient with a critical case may use about six cylinders of oxygen within 24 hours.
He explained that oxygen plants are industrial devices designed for regular supply into healthcare facilities, adding that the plants separate oxygen from other air components by using pressure swing adsorption or membrane separation techniques.
The Commissioner averred that high purity oxygen is needed in healthcare facilities and essential for patients undergoing COVID treatments.
“This is particularly useful for patients with comorbidities who require prompt oxygen for survival. Oxygen from the plant will be very helpful for effective treatment due to proximity of the plant which serves as source.”
While restating the commitment of the state government in the fight against COVID19, the Commissioner assured that the present administration will not relent in its all-inclusive style of response against the pandemic by collaborating with the private sector more.
“This collaboration between the Bill and Melinda Gate foundation is a good example of collaboration between government and the private sector”, he said.
