Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State has taken a significant step in advancing healthcare by inaugurating Nigeria’s first solar-powered Medical Oxygen Pressure Swing Adsorption Plant and the Level 2 Newborn Unit at Jericho Specialist Hospital, Ibadan, on Wednesday. This milestone coincided with the launch of the Oyo State Strategy for the Scale-up of Medical Oxygen in Health Facilities (2024-2028).
During the event, Governor Makinde reaffirmed his administration’s dedication to enhancing healthcare infrastructure and supporting innovative initiatives to improve health services in the state. He emphasized that the new strategy aligns with his administration’s goals to develop enduring institutions that ensure efficient state operations.
Governor Makinde acknowledged the contributions of UNICEF, the Federal Ministry of Health, and IHS, among other partners in the health sector. He announced the approval for recruiting additional doctors, nurses, and other healthcare professionals to address the existing staff shortages.
“Projects that enhance Oyo State’s healthcare system are crucial to us, aligning with our mission to elevate the state from poverty to prosperity,” Makinde stated. “Healthcare has been a cornerstone of our administration’s Roadmap to Accelerated Development, 2019-2023, and the Oyo State Roadmap for Sustainable Development, 2023-2027.”
Marking the administration’s fifth anniversary and the first year of the second tenure, Governor Makinde highlighted the significant progress made in the healthcare sector. He noted the ongoing projects in primary healthcare, with over 210 primary healthcare centers (PHCs) rehabilitated and upgraded across the state. This achievement was supported by an average budgetary allocation of about eight percent to the health sector over the past five years.
Reflecting on the COVID-19 pandemic, Governor Makinde recalled the strategic decisions made to upgrade and equip facilities for isolation purposes, which proved effective in managing the crisis. He praised the decision to invest in long-term healthcare facilities rather than temporary solutions.
Governor Makinde also extended his gratitude to the donor agencies involved in the project, recognizing their collaboration with Oyo State, the Federal Ministry of Health, and NACA. He commended the establishment of the Newborn Unit, Laying-in Ward, and Labour Room, supported by a solar system for the oxygen plant and the necessary manpower for the intervention.
“The provision of oxygen was a critical issue during the COVID-19 pandemic,” Makinde noted, “and we have used this challenge as an opportunity to develop our healthcare facilities further.”
This initiative marks a significant advancement in Oyo State’s healthcare infrastructure, ensuring better medical services for its residents.
