IHS Nigeria, UNICEF Move to Bridge Health Gap in River State  

Emma Okonji

IHS Nigeria and its implementing partner, the United Nations Child Education Fund (UNICEF) has expressed satisfaction over the oxygen plant that was recently donated to Rivers State, saying that such a gesture is helping to bridge the health gap in the state and its environs.

The observation was made recently when officials from IHS Nigeria and UNICEF, carried out a project inspection visit to the plant located at the General Hospital in Eleme, Rivers State.

Speaking during the visit to the facility at the weekend, the Director of Sustainability at HIS Nigeria, Titilope Oguntuga, noted that the oxygen plant has saved lives and is helping to bridge health gaps in the eight other states where similar plants are located.

She further explained that the visit reflects the organisation’s commitment “not only to create opportunities for impact but to also continue supporting the healthcare industry by carrying out such interventions that directly impact individuals and saves lives”

On his part, Chief of UNICEF Field Office, Port Harcourt, Dr. Anslem Audu, stated that the plant has been very functional and useful to the people of Rivers State. According to him, “During the COVID-19 pandemic, a lot of patients needed oxygen and oxygen was not available. So many children will come down with pneumonia and it will become an emergency because they will need oxygen, but oxygen is not available in the hospital,” Audu added.