By Dan-Maryam Zayamu
Following the rising cases of COVID-19 as a result of the third wave in some countries of the world, the Federal Government is putting in place structures to ensure health system resilience.
The Minister of Health, Dr. Osagie Ehanire, disclosed this at the media briefing organised by the Presidential Steering Committee on COVID-19, in Abuja, Monday.
One of the major areas the federal government is concentrating on is the provision of adequate oxygen facilities.
According to Ehanire: “Oxygen sufficiency is of high priority, as we observed in countries going through the 3rd wave.
“The Federal Government placed order for 38 Oxygen Generation Plants, one in every State, with Lagos having two, due to its high burden.
“The Global Fund is funding the repair of 30 non-operaional plants, and shall in addition build 12 new oxygen plants, to be so spatially located across Nigeria, as set on the map of Nigeria, in such a way that gaps in supply are filled and health facilities in Nigeria are able to access oxygen less 100km from an oxygen plant.
“Over 420 brand new oxygen cylinders are on order, to support distribution and availability, just along with 12 liquid oxygen tanks of 10,000L each, with vaporizers, to be also stationed where we can refill cylinders easily.
“This will expand access to oxygen nationwide and make it available to treat patients with other conditions, such as asthma, pneumonia, sickle cell anaemia, etc.”
The Minister revealed that the distribution of Personal Protective Equipments (PPEs) and consumables is on track in health facilities across the country to assure health workers of their safety.
“Treatment centres and ICUs have been issued adequate consumables and medication, and have been advised to ensure generators are in working order, and fuel is available.
“Reports from the 69 treatment facilities that provide covid-19 services, indicate that as at today, only 4.55% of beds in isolation wards are occupied No patients on admission is using oxygen presently.
“We continue to train specialists in Intensive Care, ICU, to be familiar with new ventilators, with which we are stocked,” the minister said.
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