UNICEF and IHS Nigeria collaborate to increase oxygen access for pneumonia and COVID-19 patients

By Adeleye Kunle

UNICEF and IHS Nigeria, a subsidiary of IHS Towers, have announced an 18-month collaboration to improve oxygen supply in hospitals for the treatment of pneumonia, COVID-19, and other hypoxemia disorders, particularly in newborns and pregnant women.

According to UNICEF, the partnership will help the Federal Ministry of Health meet the growing demand for effective oxygen therapy in Nigeria.

Since 2019, IHS Nigeria has been a UNICEF partner. Under the terms of this new collaboration, oxygen plants will be installed in health facilities and integrated into state-specific oxygen resilience plans, which will include training healthcare workers on the safe administration of oxygen. The partnership includes the states of Ogun, Oyo, Kano, Bauchi, Kaduna, Ebonyi, Cross Rivers, and Rivers.

Oxygen is a life-saving medical gas that is used to treat respiratory illnesses and to aid in the delivery of various healthcare services such as emergency obstetric care, surgery, and anaesthesia. It is critical for improving health outcomes and reducing pneumonia mortality by 35%, but it is rarely available and frequently expensive. Each year, over 120,000 Nigerian children die as a result of hypoxemia.

“The line between life and death for critically ill patients with pneumonia and severe COVID-19 symptoms is blurred due to limited access to supplemental oxygen.” “Unfortunately, this is the reality for many,” said Peter Hawkins, UNICEF Nigeria Representative.

“At UNICEF, we value our close collaboration with IHS Nigeria. “We can only deliver robust healthcare and advance other sustainable development goals for all Nigerians through collaborative efforts and the support of trusted partners like IHS Nigeria,” said Peter Hawkins.

“We are delighted to be contributing further to the provision of healthcare in Nigeria,” said Mohamad Darwish, CEO of IHS Nigeria. When we consider how many deaths in Nigeria could be avoided by making oxygen available, such projects become a necessity rather than an option.

“By working together, we believe we can help improve the health and well-being of our communities, expressing a very small token of gratitude to our beloved country and the communities that host us.”

We also hope that this collaboration will inspire others in the private sector to contribute to the delivery of critical healthcare for women and children in Nigeria.”

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