Following the Global Fund's allocation of Sh3 billion for oxygen pipes, patients at numerous healthcare facilities across the nation will soon benefit from a consistent supply of oxygen.
Dr Bernard Langat, the program director for Amref's disease prevention and infection control efforts, reported that the Global Fund had invested Ksh 3 billion in the oxygen ecosystem.
After meeting with Nandi Governor Stephen Sang, Dr Langat discussed the project's use of liquid oxygen, oxygen in cylinders, and infrastructure at the Nandi County offices.
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He added that the main construction is plumbing and that they are now touring and introducing construction centres.
"We are piping all 320 health facilities across the 45 Counties. We put the Pipes for oxygen outlets and money for them to distribute the oxygen that are in the cylinders,"
Dr Langat mentioned that 14 liquid oxygen tanks are throughout the 14 counties.
"We are also doing oxygen plugs, mainly targeting remote places like Kapedo, Lamu, and Chemolingot in Baringo County, among other regions. We know it's a bit challenging transporting oxygen in those areas. That's why we need them to be able to generate oxygen and fill some of the cylinders in their facilities," he added.
He claimed that a lack of cylinders is the Country's most significant problem and added that preparations are in place to buy 21,000 empty oxygen cylinders before March.
"At least each county will get a minimum of two cylinders, but those counties with bigger populations will get more," he lamented.
According to the program director, the Global Fund supported that industry since it was a significant concern.
"We remember during the Covid-19 outbreak, the biggest headache and cry the Country had was lack of oxygen. The investment here is more of building a reservoir system," he said
"any other time we have epidemic, even maternal emergency, oxygen should not be a reason why we are losing a mother .They should be sufficiently available." he added.
Dr Langat claimed that the investment is for public and private health facilities, adding that no establishment is known because even for-profit organizations handle emergencies.
Although they are insufficient, he said that Amref also provides oxygen kits, splits, regulators, and flow meters, stating that it is a step toward ensuring everyone has access to oxygen.
According to Governor Sang, the decision will improve access to high-quality healthcare nationwide.
According to him, the county's nine healthcare facilities will gain from the infrastructure of oxygen pipes. The facilities include the Kapsabet County referral hospital, Kabiyet, Maraba, Serem, Chetterwai, and Mosoriot.
"We are pleased to participate in this. project since it will improve access to medical oxygen and bring hope to our people," he said
The governor pointed out that patients are receiving oxygen, a vital medication, at all healthcare system levels.
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