By Alloys Musyoka
Lungalunga Sub County Hospital is set to strengthen its lifesaving care services following the inspection of a new Medical Oxygen Plant by Mr. Linden Morrison, the Global Fund’s High-Impact Head for Africa.
The inspection conducted under the Global Fund-supported initiative and implemented by Amref Health Africa, marks a major milestone in improving access to reliable oxygen supply for patients in the facility.
The project will see the hospital benefit from a modern Pressure Swing Adsorption (PSA) Oxygen Generation Plant with a production capacity of 200 litres of oxygen per minute. The advanced plant will extract oxygen directly from ambient air, ensuring a steady and sustainable supply of medical-grade oxygen for inpatient wards and other critical patient care areas.
Speaking during the inspection visit, Mr. Morrison emphasized the importance of strengthening healthcare infrastructure to improve patient outcomes, particularly in underserved areas where access to oxygen can mean the difference between life and death.
“This project is a significant investment in healthcare delivery for Lungalunga and the wider community. Reliable oxygen supply is essential in managing emergencies, maternal care, pediatric services, and respiratory illnesses,” he said.
The oxygen plant is expected to greatly reduce dependence on external oxygen cylinder supplies, lower operational costs, and improve emergency response within the hospital.
The Amref representative Githika George, noted that the initiative aligns with broader efforts by the Global Fund and Amref Health Africa to support health systems strengthening, ensuring quality and equitable healthcare services for all.
The Hospital Medical Superintendent, Dr. Hamisi Tsingwa, said once operational, the PSA oxygen plant will not only enhance patient care at Lungalunga Sub County Hospital but also contribute to better preparedness for respiratory emergencies and other critical health conditions in Lungalunga Sub-County.
“ I expressed my gratitude to the partnership teams and commended all the technical teams for their efforts in Construction and installation of the PSA project. The establishment of this plant will be of great relief to the Health Sector in Kwale County and the residents at large as patients will be able to get comprehensive medical services within the Sub-County as a bigger number of patients face life threatening complications, thus requiring urgent better infrastructure and supply chains”, he said.
The initiative, designed to invest in long-term oxygen infrastructure, will strengthen health systems within Kwale County and bring the county closer to universal health coverage by making the remote communities more self-sufficient in this vital health product.
The project will also maximize the use of oxygen through innovative ways of dispensing thus saving oxygen and allows for more patients to be treated on a smaller budget.
Earlier the delegation met Kwale governor Fatuma Achani who lauded Global Fund and Amref Health Africa for their continued support to the health sector.
The first priority of Achani administration is towards improving health infrastructure and service delivery and the launch of the Medical Oxygen Plant marked a great milestone in her quest for improved primary healthcare provision in the county.
Governor Achani said that Kwale currently has over 171 health facilities and is prioritizing the recruitment of additional healthcare workers.
“In terms of infrastructure, we are a bit limited. Kwale County is ready to welcome more support from like-minded partners such as Amref,” she said.
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