The Federal Government has announced transformative investments aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s medical oxygen ecosystem under the Global Fund C-19RM/HIV grant coordinated by the National Agency for the Control of AIDS, NACA.

This disclosure was made by the Director General of NACA, Dr Temitope Ilori, during the inauguration of Global Fund-supported oxygen and health product investments in Osogbo on Thursday.

Dr. Ilori, while delivering her address, said the interventions had significantly enhanced the nation’s capacity to respond to medical oxygen and respiratory care needs, as well as other critical medical emergencies across the country.

She stated that 12 cryogenic liquid oxygen tanks of 10,000 litres each had been procured and installed in selected federal tertiary hospitals across the six geopolitical zones of the country.

According to her, “Two of the tanks have been installed at Lagos University Teaching Hospital and University College Hospital, Ibadan, and are awaiting flushing and filling with medical-grade oxygen to strengthen supply in the South-West.”

Speaking on developments in the region, Dr. Ilori said, “Osun State had received one of the most comprehensive oxygen system investments in the zone, including strengthened infrastructure at Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospitals Complex and the State Hospitals Management Board.

“Medical-grade oxygen production capacity had been expanded at the Asubiaro and Iwo plants, positioning Osun to deliver more accessible and equitable oxygen therapy services.

“Through these sustained partnerships and targeted investments, I am of the opinion that Osun State has recorded exceptional progress in expanding critical care infrastructure.”

Dr. Ilori said the Global Fund rehabilitated 22 oxygen PSA plants in 17 states between 2021 and 2023, and procured an additional 73 PSA plants from 2023 to date, alongside the installation of the cryogenic tanks nationwide.

She explained that two PSA plants in Osun, at the State Government Hospital, Asubiaro, and the State Hospital, Iwo, had been procured, installed, and handed over, with local biomedical engineers trained to ensure long-term maintenance and sustainability.

According to her, “The agency’s interventions have improved clinical outcomes for patients with pneumonia, respiratory distress, COVID-19, obstetric complications and severe sepsis, while boosting public health emergency preparedness and resilience.”

Dr. Ilori also highlighted progress in HIV response, stating that about two million Nigerians are living with HIV, with 1.7 million currently receiving free treatment in government hospitals nationwide.

“We are on track to achieve the global target. We are doing well, and we have been able to sustain the gains we have recorded thus far,” she added.