The County Government of Busia has installed a sh15 million Oxygen manufacturing plant at the Busia County Referral Hospital (BCRH).

The plant funded by the World Bank through the Kenya Devolution Support Programme (KDSP) will supply oxygen to wards, theatres and maternity as well as the Accident and Emergency Unit.

Chief Officer for Health and Sanitation (Medical Services) Dr Isaac Omeri said the installation of the equipment will benefit patients with various critical conditions including new born babies that require oxygen supplementation and those (patients) admitted at the Intensive Care Unit (ICU).

“The plant has the capacity to produce oxygen to supply the entire Referral Hospital. We have piped all sections that require oxygen among them wards, theatres and maternity,” revealed Dr Omeri.

The official who was speaking at the Health offices in Busia town, observed that the unit will cut down on the cost of purchasing oxygen from companies that have been supplying the facility with the gas.

BCRH spends about 40 cylinders of oxygen, an equivalent of Sh240,000 monthly.

“Initially we have been using oxygen cylinders purchased from manufacturers with one cylinder ranging between Sh4,000 to Sh6,000 and only serving one or two patients,”

He added: “The consumption of oxygen in other public health facilities within Busia County especially Kocholia, Alupe and Port-Victoria Sub County Referral Hospitals that operate theatres is also very high,”

Dr Omeri further said oxygen will also be supplied to the Maternity and New Born Unit once complete, adding that the oxygen plant will also be helpful in refilling oxygen cylinders to be used at the sub county hospitals.

The installation of the Oxygen plant is in line with Governor Sospeter Ojaamong's agenda of strengthening the quality of service provision to the people of Busia.

Photo: Oxygen manufacturing plant installed at BCRH.

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