By Charly Agwam – Bauchi

The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has donated a Pressure Swing Absorption (PSA) Medical Oxygen Plant and Level 2 Newborn Unit at General Hospital Azare to the Bauchi State government.

Speaking at the handover of the oxygen plant in Azare on Tuesday, UNICEF Representative Ms. Cristian Munduate said that the milestone represents a remarkable step forward in our shared commitment to improving maternal, newborn and child health in Bauchi State.

“We gather here to handover the medical oxygen plant, oxygen delivery devices and the Level 2 Newborn Unit at General Hospital Azare to the Bauchi State Government.

“This milestone represents a remarkable step forward in our shared commitment to improving maternal, newborn and child health in Bauchi State and across Nigeria,” she said.

The UNICEF Chief expressed gratitude to the Bauchi State government for their support and collaboration as well as their donors, IHS Nigeria and the government of Canada for
the partnership.

“This is a testament to what we can achieve when we work together towards a common goal – ensuring the health and well-being of every child and every mother in this state.

“The installation of the medical oxygen plant will ensure that critical life-saving intervention, particularly for newborns and children suffering from pneumonia and other respiratory illnesses can be treated.

“This plant is a beacon of innovation and resilience, promising to save countless lives and provide a model for similar initiatives across the country,” she added.

Speaking further, she said that the Level 2 Newborn Unit established at General Hospital Azare is equipped with state-of-the-art facilities, saying that the unit will significantly reduce neonatal mortality rates and improve health outcomes for our youngest and most vulnerable population.

She also urged the government to employ qualified professionals for the Newborn Care unit, noting that availability of professionals dedicated to providing specialized care for premature and critically ill newborns would maximize the impact of the facility.

The Bauchi State government thanked UNICEF for their support while pledging to do everything on its part to ensure that the facilities serve its purpose.