The Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare has emphasised the urgent need for a dependable and secure oxygen supply across the country, describing it as vital for maternal care, emergency treatment, and future pandemic response.
Speaking at the 2026 National Oxygen Coordination Committee meeting in Abuja, Permanent Secretary Daju Kachollom said Nigeria must move beyond simply installing oxygen equipment to ensuring its proper maintenance and sustainability. She noted that while the government had deployed Pressure Swing Adsorption plants, liquid oxygen tanks, and optimisation devices to health facilities, availability alone does not guarantee impact.
According to her, oxygen security is key to achieving quality healthcare under Universal Health Coverage. She urged state health leaders and stakeholders to strengthen their commitment, stressing that poorly maintained or unfunded systems could become liabilities instead of solutions.
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Kachollom added that the goal is to build a lasting oxygen ecosystem driven by strong policies, funding, and political will, not just machinery.
Also speaking, Dr. Gilbert Shetak, Head of the National Oxygen Desk, reaffirmed plans to expand oxygen sustainability in hospitals nationwide. Development partners, including UNICEF, Clinton Health Access Initiative, and FHI 360, pledged continued collaboration.
With pneumonia responsible for many under-five deaths, stakeholders say improved oxygen access will help reduce preventable fatalities and strengthen healthcare delivery, especially in underserved communities.
