The Lagos State Government has activated an Oxygen Plant within the premises of the Infectious Diseases Hospital (IDH), Yaba, to provide swift support to COVID-19 patients who require oxygen therapy.

Commissioner for Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi, who activated the plant amidst the increased demand for oxygen occasioned by the second wave of COVID-19 infection, noted that the deployment and activation of the oxygen plant is in furtherance of the commitment of the State government to deploy an effective response to the pandemic.

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, supply about 300 cylinders per day and six cylinders per hour for use of patients admitted at the isolation facility.

“We recognise 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”, Abayomi stated.

“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.

Disclosing that about 300 cylinders of gas are being used a day in the State isolation facility, the Commissioner informed 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 high purity oxygen is needed in hospitals 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”, Abayomi said.

While restating the commitment of the State government in the fight against COVID-19, the Commissioner assured that the present administration will not relent in its all-inclusive style of response against the pandemic, through greater collaboration with the private sector.

“This collaboration between the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation is a good example of collaboration between government and the private sector”, he said.