UNICEF-Supported Oxygen Plant Brings Relief to Bauchi North, Reduces Child Mortality

By Kamaludeed Nuhu Ilelah
The one year old Oxygen Plant installed at Azare General Hospital has been described as a life saviour that addresses Emergency respiratory Referrals across Bauchi North Senatorial District.
Principal Medical Officer General Hospital Azare Dr. Bello Idris, made this statement when the team of journalist assessing UNICEF-supported health interventions visited General Hospital Azare and Federal Medical Centre (FMC) Azare to evaluate the impact of the Oxygen Generation Plant.
Dr. Bello confirmed that the new oxygen plant has eliminated the need for risky patient referrals during respiratory emergencies, stating that critical cases requiring oxygen can now be treated immediately on-site, marking a dramatic shift from past practices.
On their part, Pediatric leads Bara’atu Musa Kinge of Federal Medical Centre Azare and Jamila Muhammad of General Hospital Azare described the UNICEF-supported facility as life-saving.
They emphasized that severe respiratory cases in children no longer cause panic, allowing medical teams to focus fully on treatment without oxygen shortages.
While fielding in question from our reporter, the Biomedical Engineer of the General Hospital Azare Engineer Phillips Gabriel affirmed that the plant has reduced maternal mortality rates and serves all neighboring clinics.
Engineer Phillip noted its revolutionary impact on emergency care across the region.
On his part back at Bauchi, Chairman of the State Hospital Management Board, Dr. Muhammad Sambo Alkali, pledged government support to replicate the model in Bauchi’s other two senatorial districts.
Dr. Sambo affirmed concrete measures are underway to ensure the plant’s sustainability and statewide expansion.
Also in his remarks, the UNICEF Health Specialist Dr. David Audu explained the plant bridges a critical gap for primary healthcare clinics, where oxygen was historically inaccessible.
Dr. Audu cited evidence showing reliable oxygen access reduces child mortality by at least 15%, particularly for pneumonia patients.
Constructed by UNICEF, Canadian Government and IHF, about one Billion naira was spent on it in collaboration with the state government in 2024 with the aim of addressing child mortality diseases related to respiratory issues.