The Federal Government of Nigeria, in collaboration with the National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA), has officially commissioned a significant $800,000 oxygen infrastructure investment designed to strengthen emergency and critical care services in Cross River State.
Major Healthcare Infrastructure Upgrade
Dr. Temitope Ilori, the Director General of NACA, personally led the inspection team to the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital (UCTH) on November 19, 2025, where a comprehensive medical equipment package was commissioned. The investment, facilitated under the Global Fund C-19RM intervention, features a fully operational 10,000-litre liquid oxygen (LOX) tank alongside advanced biomedical and diagnostic equipment.
Dr. Ilori expressed satisfaction with the implementation, stating: "We are here to inspect the investments made under the Global Fund C19RM grant, I am satisfied with what I have seen. The facilities are functional, being used for patient care, training, and the service of humanity."
Comprehensive Medical Equipment Deployment
The substantial investment includes:
- 400 oxygen cylinders
- Multiple oxygen concentrators
- Medical humidifiers
- Pulse oximeters
- ECG machines
- Mobile X-ray units
- Blood gas analyzers
- Various other critical care equipment
These resources have been distributed to UCTH and several state hospitals across Cross River, representing a significant upgrade to the region's healthcare infrastructure.
Sustainable Healthcare Model Implementation
Professor Ikpeme Ikpeme, Chief Medical Director of UCTH, revealed the hospital's innovative approach to ensuring the long-term sustainability of the oxygen plant. "This system runs as a revolving fund. The income generated from oxygen production goes into a TSA sub-account, which we use to maintain the plant and refill the tank," he explained.
The teaching hospital's substantial oxygen needs are driven by its extensive critical care units, including:
- A 10-bed adult ICU
- 4-bed paediatric ICU
- 22-bed neonatal unit
- Trauma theatres
- Over 100 emergency beds
Professor Ikpeme assured that "the era of patients not being able to access oxygen is coming to an end," noting that while UCTH currently serves its own patients first, plans are underway to scale up production to supply other healthcare facilities in the region.
Dr. Ilori reaffirmed NACA's commitment to collaborating with the Federal Ministry of Health and Cross River State Government to ensure the continued functionality of these critical healthcare investments, particularly highlighting the strengthened infrastructure at UCTH, Ogoja, and Ikom facilities.
