Medical Oxygen Sustainability: DASH CMD Represents Nasarawa Health Commissioner at National Summit in Abuja
Stakeholders emphasize state ownership, private sector collaboration to safeguard life-saving investments
By Suleiman Abubakar Rimi Uku Lafia
The Chief Medical Director of Dalhatu Araf Specialist Hospital (DASH), Akwanga, Dr. Esala E. Abene, represented the Nasarawa State Commissioner for Health, Hon. Dr. Gaza D. Gwamna, at the 4th Edition of the National Oxygen Coordination Meeting held in Abuja, reaffirming the state’s commitment to strengthening medical oxygen infrastructure.
The high-level summit, themed “Beyond Access: Optimization and Sustainability of Medical Oxygen Investments,” was organized by the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare in collaboration with international development partners. It brought together key stakeholders in the healthcare sector to deliberate on strategies for sustaining oxygen supply across Nigeria’s health facilities.
Dr. Abene’s participation highlighted Nasarawa State’s proactive engagement in the national oxygen expansion initiative, which has significantly improved oxygen production capacity nationwide. Through Federal Government efforts and international support, oxygen plants have been constructed across several senatorial zones to enhance healthcare preparedness and emergency response.
Nasarawa State is among the beneficiaries of the programme, with four oxygen plants currently operational. These include one at Dalhatu Araf Specialist Hospital (DASH), Akwanga; two at the Federal University Teaching Hospital (FUTH), Lafia; and one at the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Keffi. These facilities are strategically positioned to supply uninterrupted oxygen to their host institutions and neighboring healthcare centers, thereby improving emergency care, surgical services, and treatment of respiratory illnesses.
The importance of medical oxygen gained global recognition during the COVID-19 pandemic, where it became an essential life-saving resource rather than a supplementary treatment. The establishment of oxygen plants has since strengthened the capacity of health institutions to respond effectively to critical medical needs.
Discussions at the Abuja summit focused heavily on the sustainability of these oxygen investments. Stakeholders emphasized that while development partners provided initial funding and technical support, state governments must now assume full ownership and ensure effective management of the facilities.
Participants also stressed the need for stronger partnerships between government and the private sector to guarantee proper maintenance, technical support, and operational efficiency of the oxygen plants.
The meeting attracted Commissioners of Health, Chief Medical Directors, Directors of Medical Services, and Oxygen Desk Officers from across the federation, all committed to ensuring that medical oxygen remains accessible, reliable, and sustainable in Nigeria’s healthcare system.
