Construction of an oxygen plant at Karonga District Hospital is progressing steadily and is expected to be completed by the end of June, 2025.
Funded by the World Bank, the project was allocated K1.8 billion for construction and subsequent purchase of the gas plant equipment.
Karonga District Council Director of Health Services, David Sibale, said in an interview on Wednesday that the Council spends over K1.6 million to go to Nkhoma Mission Hospital in Lilongwe to fill 40 oxygen gas cylinders which lasts three months.
“Currently, the hospital relies on external suppliers like Afrox and Nkhoma Mission Hospital in Lilongwe for oxygen, incurring substantial transportation costs and delays.
“The new facility will produce medical-grade oxygen on-site, ensuring a reliable supply for critical cases such as respiratory illnesses, surgical procedures and emergency care,” said Sibale.
According to Sibale, the project will also provide a lorry to be ferrying oxygen to requesting districts.
Health Rights Activist, Maziko Matemba, hailed government for the project saying it is life saving.
“We learnt lessons during the Covid-19 outbreak that there are so many gaps in accessing oxygen for patients in our hospitals and construction of this plant in Karonga is a welcome move. We hope that it will extend to other facilities in the country which will help bridge the gap,” said Matemba.
He, therefore, called on government to make sure that resources for the repair and maintenance of the plant, once completed, should be readily available.
Once operational, the plant will not only serve Karonga but also benefit the entire northern region which, currently, has no operational gas plant.
