The Lagos State Government has commissioned a new Pressure Swing Adsorption (PSA) Oxygen Plant at Alimosho General Hospital, Igando, in a significant step toward strengthening emergency medical care and reducing preventable deaths caused by oxygen shortages.
The plant, donated by Global Fund in partnership with the Federal Ministry of Health, aims to ensure the constant availability of life-saving oxygen for patients in critical conditions. According to the Commissioner for Health, Prof. Akin Abayomi, the facility is a major boost to the state’s healthcare infrastructure.
Speaking through Dr. Olajumoke Oyenuga, Director of Planning and Statistics, Ministry of Health, Abayomi emphasized that the donation aligns with the Lagos State Government’s ongoing efforts to create a more robust and responsive health system. He highlighted the harsh lessons learned during the COVID-19 pandemic, where many lives were lost due to oxygen scarcity.
“This new plant, strategically located at Alimosho General Hospital, will meet oxygen demands and positively impact treatment outcomes,” he stated.
A Life-Saving Facility with Significant Output
The PSA oxygen plant has the capacity to produce 60 cylinders of oxygen every 24 hours, which will go a long way in meeting the hospital’s daily oxygen requirements. According to Dr. Ayodapo Soyinka, Medical Director of the hospital, Alimosho uses 30 to 40 oxygen cylinders daily, especially in its Intensive Care Unit (ICU)—the only functioning ICU in any general hospital in Lagos State.
“Our ICU patients live on oxygen. This plant will support critical care and enable better outcomes for patients on ventilators,” said Soyinka.
He also commended both the state and federal health ministries for selecting Alimosho—Lagos’ largest local government—as the plant site, emphasizing its strategic importance and high patient volume.
Part of a National Oxygen Access Initiative
Mrs. Eno Edem-Igabo, Secretary to the National Oxygen Desk at the Federal Ministry of Health, noted that the plant is part of a nationwide initiative supported by Global Fund, aimed at ensuring no Nigerian dies due to lack of oxygen. She revealed that 63 PSA plants have been distributed to senatorial districts across states to increase access to medical oxygen.
Mr. Abiodun Omoloja, Coordinator of the Global Fund Grant Unit in Lagos, stressed the importance of the collaboration, saying:
“The goal is simple—make medical oxygen available to people when they need it, where they need it.”
The state government urged the hospital to maintain the plant effectively to ensure its sustainability and long-term impact.
Why This Matters for Healthcare in Nigeria
Oxygen is a critical medical commodity used across various departments—from emergency rooms and ICUs to pediatric and surgical wards. Its availability can mean the difference between life and death, especially for patients suffering from respiratory illnesses, trauma, or undergoing surgery.
The inauguration of this oxygen plant is a timely intervention and reinforces the commitment of stakeholders at all levels to health system strengthening in Nigeria. With Lagos being a densely populated and urbanized state, the move sets a precedent for other states to follow.
Conclusion: A Strategic Health Milestone
The commissioning of the oxygen plant at Alimosho General Hospital is more than an infrastructural upgrade—it’s a life-saving intervention. With rising demand for oxygen across hospitals, especially during emergencies and outbreaks, such facilities are crucial.
This development showcases what is possible through multi-sectoral collaboration and sets the tone for better-equipped hospitals across Lagos and Nigeria at large
