Why Canada Supported Nigeria with $23m Oxygen Plants—Envoy

The Canadian Government has provided Nigeria with $23 million to build nine oxygen plants in nine states. This support was motivated by the gaps identified during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2019, where the lack of medical oxygen was a significant challenge. During a visit to the newly commissioned ‘Pressure Swing Adsorption Oxygen Plant’ at the Nchia General Hospital in Eleme Local Government Area of Rivers State, the Canadian High Commissioner to Nigeria, Mr. James Christoff, explained the rationale behind Canada's decision. He emphasized that poverty was central to the challenges identified by the Canadian government globally, which were exacerbated during the pandemic. Christoff, who also serves as the Permanent Representative of Canada to ECOWAS, highlighted the collaboration between governments, including Canada, UNICEF, WHO, and the Rivers State Government, in addressing these shortcomings. “This is a tangible example of where governments like the Government of Canada, UNICEF, WHO, the Rivers State Government, and of course the healthcare system can come together and bring effective, focused change to address shortcomings that, if addressed, can make a real difference to the general public,” he said.

He expressed his pride in how Canadian tax dollars have been utilized to make a difference in Nigeria, noting that the facility is a testament to the commitment of the international community to support healthcare infrastructure. “During COVID, it was identified there were several gaps in the way that as an international community, we were not able to effectively address everything that came our way. One of those gaps, of course, was the issue of medical oxygen,” Christoff explained. He further revealed that Canada provided $23 million to UNICEF to build nine oxygen facilities across Nigeria, including the one in Rivers State, to address these gaps. The visit of the Canadian envoy to the facility underscores Canada's commitment to supporting healthcare innovations in developing regions. The State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Adaeze Oreh, represented by the Permanent Secretary of the State Ministry of Health, Dr. Mekeke Igwe, emphasized the importance of the PSA Oxygen Plant. She described it as a beacon of progress and a critical resource in the state's effort to provide better medical care. The plant has the capacity to fill 135 cylinders (20-1 litre bottles) in 24 hours, providing 720,000 litres of medical oxygen within the same time frame. This capacity ensures that 100 children with severe pneumonia or 50-60 adults with critical respiratory illnesses can receive continuous oxygen treatment simultaneously.

Dr. Oreh lauded the Canadian government’s commitment to fostering health innovations and strengthening healthcare systems in developing regions. She reaffirmed the state's dedication to maintaining and operating the plant to the highest standards, ensuring that its benefits reach those who need them most. Dr. Anselem Audu, Chief of the Field Office of UNICEF in Port Harcourt, also spoke during the event. He acknowledged the funding provided by the Canadian government and IHS Towers through UNICEF, expressing gratitude for the support. Dr. Audu recalled the challenges faced during the COVID-19 pandemic when oxygen was in short supply and emphasized that such a situation would not recur with the establishment of these facilities. The visit of the Canadian High Commissioner to the facility symbolizes the strong partnership between the Canadian government and UNICEF, and their commitment to providing life-saving medical facilities for children in Nigeria. Image Credit: GettyImages