‘35% of Pneumonia Related Death In Ogun Will Be Prevented With Newly Donated Equipment’ – UNICEF

‘35% of Pneumonia Related Death In Ogun Will Be Prevented With Newly Donated Equipment’ – UNICEF

To provide healthcare and save lives in cases of acute respiratory diseases such as pneumonia, hypoxemia and other related diseases, especially for newborns and pregnant women, an urgent supply of oxygen becomes critical.

The case is the same for other healthcare necessities such as emergency obstetric care, surgery, and anaesthesia.

Unfortunately, oxygen, the life-saving medical gas, is seldom available and very expensive, leading to many preventable deaths.

UNICEF’s donation of this much-needed oxygen plant in Ogun State this week is indeed a great gesture that offers lifelines and hope to many residents, especially thousands of those suffering from respiratory diseases, including pregnant women and newborns.

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The United Nations Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) inaugurated the Pressure Swing Absorption (PSA) Oxygen Plant at the Olabisi Onabanjo University Teaching Hospital, Sagamu, as part of measures to combat acute respiratory diseases such as pneumonia, hypoxemia and others among residents of Ogun State.

The oxygen plant, donated by UNICEF in partnership with IHS, will produce 300 litres of oxygen per minute.

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Speaking at the official handover ceremony of the plant witnessed by the Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Tokunbo Talabi; Commissioner for Health, Tomi Coker, the Akarigbo and Paramount Ruler of Remoland, Oba Michael Babatunde Ajayi; representatives of the Federal Ministry of Health and management of the OOUTH led by the Chief Medical Director, Oluwabunmi Fatungase, Chief of Field Office, UNICEF Lagos, Ms.Celine Lafoucriere, said the plant would be of benefit to the people of the state, particularly thousands of newborns and pregnant women.

She expressed optimism that the lives of the newborns and pregnant women suffering from pneumonia and other hypoxemia disorders will take a positive turn with the handover of the oxygen plant.

Lafoucriere explained that the seldom and often expensive oxygen is critical to improving health outcomes and reducing mortality due to pneumonia by 35%.

“The commissioning marks a significant milestone for the people of Ogun state, particularly thousands of newborns and pregnant women suffering from pneumonia and other hypoxemia disorders, whose fundamental right to life is about to take a positive turn with the handover of this oxygen plant close to need”.

“Oxygen is life and a life-saving medical gas used for treating respiratory illnesses and supporting various healthcare provisions such as emergency obstetric care, surgery, and anesthesia. It is critical to improving health outcomes and reducing mortality due to pneumonia by 35%, yet, seldom available and often expensive”

“With limited access to supplemental oxygen, the line between life and death is blurred for critically ill patients with pneumonia and severe COVID-19 symptoms. This situation is, unfortunately, the reality for many”.

She added, “UNICEF is fully committed to working with governments at all levels to provide quality healthcare accessible and affordable to every mother and every child”.

In his remarks, Governor Abiodun, thanked UNICEF for donating the plant to the state, promising that the facility will be adequately utilized.

In her welcome address, the Chief Medical Director, Olabisi Onabanjo University Teaching Hospital OOUTH, Sagamu, Dr. Olubunmi Fatungase, commended the donors.

She noted: “This Gas Plant is the first State owned, and it is meant to serve all health institutions within and outside Ogun State”.

“This initiative ensures the timely resuscitation of patients in need of oxygen, contributing significantly to our healthcare capabilities”.