By IHS Nigeria, one of the largest independent owners, operators, and developers of shared communications infrastructure in the world by tower count, has continued its impact assessment tour of its oxygen plant projects situated in different hospitals across the country.
The telecommunications infrastructure company visited Jericho Specialist Hospital, Ibadan, Oyo State to assess the usage condition of the oxygen plant jointly donated in collaboration with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) in May 2024. The oxygen plant donation is part of IHS Nigeria’s commitment to improving Nigeria’s healthcare system through sustainable, impactful initiatives designed to serve health facilities in the state.
Ahead of a tour of the facility, the IHS and UNICEF team were received at the Oyo State Ministry of Health by the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Oluwaserimi Ajetunmobi alongside the Permanent Secretary and other Directors from the Ministry and the Oyo State Hospital Management Board.
The visit, led by senior officials from IHS Nigeria and UNICEF, provided an opportunity to evaluate the plant’s operational efficiency, its integration into critical care delivery, and its broader impact on the state’s healthcare system.
Commenting on the visit, Director, Sustainability, IHS Nigeria, Titilope Oguntuga, remarked: “At IHS, sustainability is at the core of everything we do. Our focus spans four key pillars which are Ethics & Governance, Environment and Climate Change, People and Communities and Education & Economic Growth.
“This oxygen plant initiative speaks directly to our commitment to people and communities. As we assess the progress of this project, we are reminded of its alignment with key Sustainable Development Goals, including good health and well-being, responsible consumption, and partnerships for the attainment of the SDG goals.”
“We are here not just to inspect the plant, but to witness the impact, strengthen relationships, and continue building a partnership that delivers real value to Nigerians.” She added.
Health Specialist, UNICEF Lagos, Dr. Olufemi Adeyemi commented: “It is a pleasure to witness the results of our strong collaboration with IHS Nigeria and Oyo State. On behalf of UNICEF, I want to sincerely thank the state for providing an enabling environment that makes impactful partnerships like this possible. We are here to assess how well the oxygen plant is performing. We no longer want to see lives lost due to a lack of oxygen. We want to be assured that the investment made is truly saving lives and delivering the impact it was intended to.”
Commissioner of Health, Oyo State, Dr. Oluwaserimi Ajetunmobi expressed appreciation for the initiative, saying: “This partnership between IHS Nigeria and UNICEF is a testament to the power of collaboration in strengthening our healthcare system. The oxygen plant at Jericho Specialist Hospital has become a critical asset in our fight to reduce avoidable deaths, especially among newborns and vulnerable patients. It is not just a donation; it is a life-saving intervention that has redefined emergency response capabilities in the state. We commend IHS Nigeria and UNICEF for their foresight, dedication, and long-term commitment to healthcare delivery in Oyo State.”
Permanent Secretary, Oyo State Ministry of Health, Dr. Akintunde Ayinde, commented on the significance of the oxygen plant and the broader impact of the partnership.
“Before COVID-19, oxygen therapy was not prioritized in most hospitals, government or private. But when the crisis hit, IHS Nigeria and UNICEF didn’t just donate equipment, they identified the gap and moved quickly to close it. This oxygen plant has completely transformed our emergency response system. We’ve gone from scarcity to stability. Patients who once struggled to access oxygen especially those who couldn’t afford it now receive it without delay’’.
“Beyond the donation, IHS and UNICEF brought us a sustainability model, trained engineers, and introduced a more efficient, solar-powered oxygen management system. We’re now extending oxygen access to primary and secondary care centers and even supplying private clinics in crisis. For me, this initiative is not just impactful, it is lifesaving. We are truly grateful and committed to building on this collaboration to ensure long-term impact.” He added.
The oxygen plant is equipped with 50 units of 6-cubic-meter cylinders and 150 units of 3 cubic meter cylinders that currently supplies both private and public hospitals including primary health centers all over Oyo state. The hospital management acknowledged the difference the plant has made in ensuring prompt availability of oxygen even for primary healthcare centers that are unable to pay, and in improving the medical outcomes for many patients who need oxygen as part of their management.
Recall that earlier this year; the team had visited the Olabisi Onabanjo University Teaching Hospital (OOUTH), Sagamu, to evaluate the operational status and impact of the oxygen plant installed in Ogun.
