Government working with the Clinton Health Access (CHAI) Initiative and Unitaid have invested about 2.3 million US dollars in the installation of a Bulk Liquid Oxygen Tank at Livingstone teaching Hospital in Southern Province.
Southern Province Minister Credo Nanjuwa has since commissioned the 20 by 20 bulk oxygen tank with installations connected to all the wards of the Hospital.
Speaking during the commissioning Mr Nanjuwa said the successful installation of the oxygen tank is in line with President Hakainde Hichilema’s desire to create an effective medical oxygen supply system in health facilities for effective service delivery.
“The actualization of this project responds to the dire need of medical oxygen in the country to better service the people of Zambia as directed by President Hichilema,” he said.
Mr Nanjuwa has since commended Clinton Health Access Initiative (CHAI) and its funding partner Unitaid for supporting the installation of the first ever Bulk liquid medical oxygen plant in Southern Province.
The Minister also appealed for increased collaboration between government and the private sector to facilitate installations to all the 15 districts in the Province.
Meanwhile, Ministry of Health Permanent Secretary Technical services Kennedy Lishimpi said the installation will create sustainability and resilience in the country’s health systems as it will shift over dependence of oxygen from outside sources.
He said installing an oxygen tank at Livingstone hospital will reduce the oxygen budget at the hospital and help direct the funds to other needy areas.
“This installation is in line with the Ministry of Health strategic plan to have more oxygen supplies produced in the country, not only to save natural resources but also to build a resilient health system for our people,” he said.
And speaking earlier, Clinton Health Access Initiative Country Director Hildah Shakwelele reaffirmed her organisation’s commitment to working with the government in meeting its national medical oxygen supplies strategic objective.
She said with a funding of 2.3 million US dollars from Unitaid, her organisation has successfully installed Bulk liquid medical oxygen plants at Levy teaching hospital and Livingstone teaching Hospital, becoming the first two facilities to have the state of art medical oxygen infrastructure in Zambia.
She said the numerous waves of COVID 19 that hit the country between 2019 and 2022 became a wakeup call to the government and partners to build a resilient and sustainable medical oxygen supply system.
And Southern Province Health Director Callistus Kaayunga said the Bulk liquid medical oxygen plant will enhance management of respiratory diseases at the hospital.
