IHS-Nigeria, in partnership with UNICEF, has inspected the Eleme Oxygen Plant facility as part of ongoing efforts to strengthen healthcare delivery across Rivers State and its environs.
During the inspection, Titilope Oguntuga, Director of Sustainability at IHS-Nigeria, expressed satisfaction with the operational standards of the facility, describing it as clean and well-maintained. She emphasized the need for improved capacity to meet increasing oxygen demand in the region.
“As an organization, we are committed not only to creating impactful opportunities but also to sustaining our interventions by monitoring and supporting beneficiaries. We have over sixteen sites across Nigeria, and this proximity allows us to stay close to our communities.”
She noted that the Eleme plant is one of nine oxygen plants built by IHS-Nigeria nationwide and that its impact extends beyond Rivers State.
“The Eleme Oxygen Plant is bridging a critical health gap. It is already saving lives, especially during medical emergencies. There’s room for expansion in terms of output, and we encourage the facility to scale up.”
Also speaking during the visit, Dr. Anslem Audu, Chief of UNICEF Field Office, Port Harcourt, commended the partnership behind the plant’s success but called on the Rivers State Government to provide steady electricity supply to ensure its uninterrupted operation.
“The plant has proven useful in ending the era of oxygen scarcity in Rivers State. Today, many hospitals in Port Harcourt have a reliable supply of oxygen from the Eleme plant. This is thanks to the collaboration between IHS-Nigeria, UNICEF, the Rivers State Ministry of Health, and other stakeholders.”
He recalled the critical oxygen shortage during the COVID-19 pandemic and emphasized that no child should die due to the absence of oxygen in hospitals.
“It is time the government takes full responsibility for connecting this facility to the national grid. IHS and partners have done so much, but power supply shouldn’t be their burden.”
Dr. Leechi-Okere Claribelle, Medical Director of General Hospital Eleme, echoed these concerns, noting that high production costs and transportation of cylinders are the plant’s major challenges.
Since its commissioning in 2024 under a public-private partnership with the Ministry of Health and Hospital Management Board, the plant has remained operational, supplying oxygen to government hospitals across the state.
“However, it runs solely on generators, which drives up the cost of production. Transportation of oxygen cylinders to various hub sites is also becoming increasingly expensive due to rising demand.”
The inspection underscores the importance of sustaining health infrastructure through strong partnerships and government support. Stakeholders hope that with improved electricity and expanded supply, the Eleme Oxygen Plant will continue to save more lives and serve as a model for other states.
