Kano State Boosts Oxygen Supply in Health Facilities
By Ahmad Tijjani Abdul
KANO – The Kano State Ministry of Health has commenced a crucial technical meeting to review and validate the State Strategy for the Scale-Up of Medical Oxygen in Health Facilities.
A statement by Nabilusi Abubakar K/Na’isa, the
Public Relation Officer of the State Ministry of Health that was made available to newsmen in Kano stated that the meeting, chaired by the Honourable Commissioner for Health, Dr. Abubakar Labaran Yusuf, seeks to strengthen oxygen availability and accessibility across all tiers of healthcare service delivery in the state.
The event, which took place at Hotel Seventeen in Kaduna State, brought together senior officials, development partners, health experts, and representatives from key health institutions. Participants gathered to provide expert inputs that would ensure the strategic framework is realistic, comprehensive, and implementable.
Speaking during the opening session, Dr. Abubakar Labaran Yusuf highlighted the critical role of medical oxygen in saving lives, especially during emergencies, surgical procedures, maternal and child care, and the management of respiratory illnesses. He emphasized that ensuring the consistent supply and proper use of oxygen is part of the state government’s broader commitment to improving health outcomes under the leadership of His Excellency, Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf, Executive Governor of Kano State.
According to the Commissioner, the objective of the meeting is to validate a well-structured plan that will guide the state in scaling up medical oxygen production, distribution, and maintenance systems. “Our goal is to ensure no patient loses their life due to lack of oxygen. This strategy provides a roadmap for strengthening infrastructure, building technical capacity, and improving oxygen supply chains across all healthcare levels,” he stated.
Participants at the meeting discussed key elements of the draft strategy, including sustainable oxygen generation, staff training, equipment maintenance, funding mechanisms, and effective monitoring and evaluation systems. The discussions also focused on identifying existing gaps and aligning the strategy with national and international best practices.
Development partners present commended Kano State for its proactive approach to health system strengthening. They described the initiative as timely and impactful, noting that access to medical oxygen is essential to achieving universal health coverage and reducing preventable deaths, particularly among women and children.
The meeting is expected to produce a validated strategic document that will guide implementation efforts across the state. Once finalized, the strategy will serve as a policy tool to ensure medical oxygen is available, affordable, and accessible reinforcing Kano State’s position as a leader in innovative healthcare reform in Northern Nigeria.