How IHS Nigeria and UNICEF are Saving Lives in Rivers State

In Eleme, a town nestled within Rivers State, a quiet but powerful transformation is taking place, powered not by politics, but by oxygen.

What was once a life-saving resource often in short supply is now readily available, thanks to a landmark donation made in 2024: an oxygen production plant commissioned through a multi-stakeholder collaboration involving IHS Nigeria, UNICEF, and the Canadian Government, in partnership with the Rivers State Ministry of Health.

This week, officials from IHS Nigeria and UNICEF embarked on an impact assessment visit to the facility, located at the General Hospital, Eleme, and found something extraordinary—the plant is not only operational, it’s transforming healthcare outcomes across the region.

A Breath of Relief: Bridging Healthcare Gaps Through Public-Private Partnership

Commissioned with a production capacity of 123 oxygen cylinders and 720,000 litres of oxygen per day, the plant was built as part of a wider public-private initiative to boost access to medical oxygen in underserved communities.

“This is one of nine oxygen plants we’ve built across the country,” said Titilope Oguntuga, Director of Sustainability at IHS Nigeria. “We are excited that this one is not just functioning—but also bridging health gaps beyond Rivers State. It’s helping in emergencies, it’s saving lives, and it’s a testament to what intentional partnerships can deliver.”

Oguntuga emphasized that the plant exemplifies IHS Nigeria’s broader sustainability approach, anchored on four pillars:

1. Ethics and Governance
2. Education and Economic Growth
3. Environment and Climate Change
4. People and Communities

She added that the inspection was aimed at evaluating the operational efficiency and real-world impact of the facility.

From Scarcity to Sufficiency: Oxygen Now Readily Available Across Rivers State

For Dr. Anslem Audu, Chief of UNICEF’s Port Harcourt Field Office, the visit stirred memories of darker times, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic, when a lack of oxygen turned treatable illnesses into life-threatening emergencies.

“There was a time when children with pneumonia were rushed to hospitals, and oxygen was simply not available,” he recalled. “Today, that narrative has changed. Thanks to this plant, no child in Rivers State should die due to lack of oxygen.”

He noted that the oxygen produced at the Eleme plant is now being distributed widely, supporting public and private hospitals, including the state’s two teaching hospitals.

“A visit to almost any major health facility in Port Harcourt today will reveal that they now have access to oxygen, and much of it comes from this plant,” he said.

However, Audu also urged the state government to invest further in the sustainability of the project by providing stable electricity to ensure continuous operation.

A Statewide Lifeline: Oxygen Distribution Hubs Expand Reach

According to Dr. Leechi-Okere Clarabelle, Medical Director of Eleme General Hospital, the plant has been running smoothly since its unveiling.

“We’ve set up two major oxygen storage and distribution hubs in Port Harcourt to extend our reach. These hubs make it easier for distant hospitals and clinics to collect oxygen without traveling all the way to Eleme,” she said.

She highlighted that the initiative has made a real difference across public and private healthcare facilities, marking a new era in emergency care response for the state.

A Model for Replication Across Africa

The success of the Eleme oxygen plant is not an isolated case, it is part of a nationwide model, built on collaboration, community impact, and sustainability. With eight other plants operating across different states, the partnership between IHS Nigeria, UNICEF, the Canadian Government, and local health ministries is showing what’s possible when the private sector invests in life-saving infrastructure.

As Nigeria continues to address critical gaps in healthcare access, this project stands out, not just for its engineering, but for its human impact.

It is a powerful reminder that sometimes, development starts not with a grand speech, but with something as vital and as simple, as a breath of fresh air.

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