De-Patriot News Desk

The University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH) has significantly enhanced its capacity to deliver high-quality and affordable healthcare with the successful refilling of its Liquid Oxygen (LOX) tank. This milestone achievement, made possible through the support of the Global Fund and collaboration with key stakeholders, underscores the hospital’s commitment to patient-centered care.

The milestone, achieved under the leadership of the Chief Medical Director (CMD), Prof. Idia Nibokun Ize-Iyamu, was recorded on Friday, October 24, 2025, and represents a key phase in the ongoing Federal Government–Global Fund (GF) Oxygen Support Initiative aimed at enhancing oxygen availability across Nigeria’s tertiary hospitals.

The refilling exercise was supervised by Mr. Ibeke E. Francis, an official from the Federal Ministry of Health’s Oxygen Desk, alongside representatives from the National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA), the Clinton Health Access Initiative (CHAI), and APEX Gas. Their collaborative efforts ensured the seamless delivery of 10 tons of medical-grade liquid oxygen, further fortifying UBTH’s readiness for critical medical procedures and emergency interventions.

Speaking on the development, Prof. Ize-Iyamu expressed profound appreciation to the Federal Government and its partners for their sustained commitment to advancing healthcare delivery nationwide. She described the intervention as “a timely and transformative boost” to the hospital’s oxygen capacity and overall service efficiency.

“This 10-ton oxygen supply, which is equivalent to about 700 large oxygen cylinders, marks the first of three scheduled supplies under the Global Fund-supported project,” she explained. “Upon completion of the three phases, UBTH will engage directly with our partners to sustain this initiative and ensure uninterrupted oxygen availability for all patients.”

The CMD further highlighted that while UBTH currently operates two functional oxygen gas plants, the additional LOX system will significantly enhance supply reliability, minimize operational costs, and improve service efficiency allowing the hospital to continue fulfilling its mission of providing quality, affordable, and patient-centered care.

She added that the success of the project underscores UBTH’s reputation as a pioneer in medical innovation and service excellence among Nigeria’s tertiary health institutions.

Also present during the exercise were the Chairman, Medical Advisory Committee (CMAC), Prof. Stanley Okugbo, and the Deputy CMAC (Clinicals), Dr. Philip Osho, who joined in commending the initiative as a major advancement in hospital resource optimization.

The 10-ton oxygen supply forms part of the Federal Government’s Global Fund supported National Oxygen Expansion Programme, designed to strengthen oxygen infrastructure and ensure consistent, reliable access to medical-grade oxygen across federal health facilities.

By enhancing oxygen availability, the government through its partnership with global health agencies is directly improving patient outcomes and reinforcing Nigeria’s emergency response capacity.

UBTH’s successful refilling of its Liquid Oxygen (LOX) tank thus stands as a testament to the effectiveness of this collaboration and its transformative impact on healthcare delivery in Nigeria.