A newly installed 10,000-litre oxygen plant at the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital (UCTH) has been singled out by the National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA) as one of the most robust facilities of its kind in the South-South.
Dr. Temilope Ilori, Director-General of NACA, gave the commendation on Thursday during an assessment visit to the plant in Calabar. The facility was provided through the Global Fund COVID-19 Response Mechanism (C19RM) grant supported by the Federal Government.
She noted that the Global Fund C19RM intervention, coordinated by NACA, was designed to bolster Nigeria’s health infrastructure post-COVID-19 by providing essential medical equipment and systems.
According to her, UCTH benefited significantly from the grant, receiving a 10,000-litre oxygen plant, more than 400 cylinders, humidifiers, concentrators and pulse oximeters to boost emergency and critical care services.
Ilori said the agency was pleased that the equipment was being actively deployed for public health services, achieving the purpose for which they were provided.
She also highlighted that the grant funded additional PSA oxygen plants in Ogoja—already operational and serving surrounding communities—while another in Ikom is awaiting commissioning.
Emphasising sustainability, the NACA boss explained that the Global Fund secured a five-year warranty and maintenance agreement, including spare parts support, for all newly installed oxygen systems.
“Cross River has received one of the most extensive oxygen system upgrades in the South-South, valued at roughly 800,000 dollars.
“The improved infrastructure at UCTH, along with expanded oxygen access in Ogoja and Ikom, translates into safer and more dependable oxygen therapy services,” she added.
She stressed the importance of strong collaboration between the Federal Ministry of Health, NACA, and the Cross River Government to ensure the investments achieve maximum impact.
Ilori noted, however, that long-term success would depend on solid state commitment, trained personnel, and continued maintenance support.
DG of NACA, Dr Temitope Ilori, and UCTH CMD, Prof. Ikpeme Ikpeme, inspecting other facilities donated to the hospital.
In his remarks, UCTH Chief Medical Director, Prof. Ikpeme Ikpeme, said the hospital runs the oxygen plant under a revolving fund system designed for long-term sustainability.
He stated that proceeds from oxygen production are deposited into a TSA sub-account dedicated to repairs, servicing and refilling needs.
The CMD added that the plant fully meets the hospital’s oxygen demand before supplying other facilities—an approach made necessary by rising needs.
Ikpeme described UCTH as the biggest functional healthcare institution in Cross River, noting that its ICU, Paediatric ICU and Special Care Unit heavily rely on oxygen.
He further explained that the hospital’s new Accident and Emergency complex will boost capacity with more ICUs, neonatal units, trauma theatres and emergency beds.
“Since the plant was installed two years ago, we have not experienced oxygen shortages. It has transformed the quality of care we provide.
“The purity of the oxygen generated is excellent and outperforms many PSA machines available across the region,” he said.
He added that healthcare facilities in the state are gradually moving away from uncertified oxygen supplies, as UCTH and other oxygen plants now deliver reliable, high-grade medical oxygen to meet clinical needs.