By Adama Makasuba
Edward Francis Small Teaching Hospital (EFSTH) annex in Bakau known as Ndemban Clinic is due to get the country’s first-ever oxygen plant.
Speaking during a ceremony held at the complex, Dr Ahmad Lamin Samateh, Minister of Health, said: “as part of long-term relief efforts, The Government of The Gambia in partnership with UNDP, WHO, and the World Bank has stepped forward and worked together to procure and deliver The Gambia’s first ever oxygen plant to be installed at the Ndemban Clinic capable of producing medical-grade oxygen.”
“The procured oxygen plant is a Pressure Swing Adsorption (PSA) oxygen generating plant with a 50 cubic meter capacity per hour, which will make Ndemban Hospital not only self-sufficient in their oxygen requirement but able to supply surrounding hospitals. Moreover, two more plants are expected by the end of August with a production capacity of 25 cubic meters capacity per hour, fully funded by the Global Fund with UNDP support limited to procurement services. These will be installed at EFSTH Banjul and EFSTH Bansang,” he added.
“This is one of the milestone achievements of the health sector of The Gambia since independence. Having an oxygen plant in-country will contribute immensely to alleviating the suffering of the patients hence reducing morbidity and mortality as a result of one of the many useful and successful partnerships between the Government of The Gambia and responsive and supportive partners such as the World Bank, UNDP, WHO and Global Fund,” he noted.
