By Abubakar Baba Ahmad
Bauchi State Government has been urged to equip the newly constructed L2 Newborn Care unit at Azare General hospital with trained healthcare professionals dedicated to providing specialized care for premature and critically ill newborns towards reducing the high rate of neonatal mortalities.
The UNICEF Nigeria Representative Ms. Cristian Munduate made the call at the Handover of the Pressure Swing Absorption (PSA) Medical Oxygen Plant and Level 2 Newborn Unit at General Hospital Azare.
Cristian Munduate said Nigeria has one of the highest rates of neonatal mortality globally, hence the need for the state government to invest heavily in healthcare infrastructure towards reversing the trend.
"As we hand over these investments to the Bauchi State Government, I urged that the L2 Newborn Care unit be staffed by trained healthcare professionals. Availability of professionals dedicated to providing specialized care for premature and critically ill newborns we are confident that they will be maintained and utilized effectively to maximize their impact."
"UNICEF remains committed to supporting the government in this endeavour through continuous capacity building, provision of technical expertise, and monitoring progress" - Munduate said.
She noted the medical oxygen plant will ensure critical life-saving intervention, particularly for newborns and children suffering from Pneumonia and other respiratory illnesses while the Level 2 Newborn Unit seeks to reduce neonatal mortality rates and improve health outcomes for the youngest and most vulnerable population.
"I also express deepest appreciation to our donors, IHS Nigeria and the Governments of Canada for this partnership."
"The installation of the medical oxygen plant will ensure that critical life-saving intervention, particularly for newborns and children suffering from pneumonia and other respiratory illnesses can be treated."
"This plant is a beacon of innovation and resilience, promising to save countless lives and provide a model for similar initiatives across the country," she added.
The State Governor Bala Mohammed who said his administration declared state of emergency in the health sector to address the problems of limited medical human resource and inadequate infrastructure, noted that the facilities provided are key to overcoming life threatening illnesses.
"With this facility, we are not only expanding the capacity of General Hospital Azare as a post-secondary health care facility, but also positively transforming the health care landscape of Bauchi and our neighboring states."
"Health care is a fundamental right, and it is our duty as a government to ensure that our citizens have access to quality medical services", Bala Mohammed states," he asserted.
Bala Mohammed represented by the Deputy Governor Auwal Jatau said part of interventions include approval of Pre-service programme for health students, provision of solar facilities in twenty primary healthcare centres, and an oxygen plant at State Specialist hospital among others.
On his part, the Executive Vice President IHS Nigeria Sadisu Barau said the initiative is part of its effort to partner local and international organisations to improve healthcare services in nine benefitting states especially in the areas of respiratory challenges, children, elderly and all vulnerable groups.
Sadisu Barau used the medium to call on the managers to put sustainability measures in place to prolong the lifespan of the facilities so as to improve patients outcome, access and services by involving the local communities in critical decision making.
IHS Executive Vice President noted “The significance of this oxygen plant goes beyond its physical infrastructure; it is a cornerstone in building stronger healthcare systems, particularly in underserved areas. Through these efforts, we aim to improve patient outcomes, ensure sustainable healthcare delivery, and contribute to long-term social and economic well-being.”
The representative of the National Oxygen Desk, Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Grace Isua noted that the plant has now opened up opportunity for oxygen to be produced on-site, in quantity and quality required and will be available to Azare, Itas Gadau, Jama'are, Misau and the neighbouring states of Yobe and Kano.
She called for the opening of a dedicated account under a revolving fund, training of more biomedical engineers and technicians as well as institutionalisation of the strategic guideline in running the facilities for sustainability and maintenance.
In a welcome remark, the State Commissioner of Health, Dr Muhammad Sani Dambam, disclosed that over 1 billion was expended in the construction and equipping of the oxygen plant, noted that communities along the Northern zone axis of the state rely on neighbouring Kano State for the oxygen commodity.
Dr Sani Dambam said the establishment of Oxygen plants at Abubakar Tafawa Balewa Teaching Hospital ATBUTH and Specialist hospital Bauchi with two more in the pipeline are not unconnected with the effort to address the challenges of inadequate oxygen facilities in the state during the COVID 19 pandemic.
According to him, “The oxygen plant being handed over today is not going to be totally free but highly subsidised, with the monies realised to serve as revolving fund for the management of the facility” he states."
In a vote of thanks, the Emir of Katagum Dr Umar Faruk the second represented by the District Head of Azare Engineer Galadima Magaji Muhammad expressed gratitude to the donors and appealed for the installation of solar power at the plant to address the erratic power in the area.
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