The University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH) has significantly boosted its capacity to deliver high-quality and affordable healthcare, following the successful refilling of its Liquid Oxygen (LOX) tank.
This achievement was recorded under the leadership of the Chief Medical Director (CMD) Prof. Idia Nibokun Ize-Iyamu on Friday, October 24th, 2025, marking a pivotal milestone for the tertiary health institution.
The initiative was carried out with the support of the Global Fund (GF). The operation was supervised by Mr. Ibeke E. Francis, an official from the Federal Ministry of Health’s Oxygen Desk, alongside representatives from the National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA), the Clinton Health Access Initiative (CHAI), and APEX Gas.
Their collaborative efforts ensured the seamless delivery of 10 tons of medical-grade liquid oxygen to UBTH, fortifying the hospital’s resources for critical medical procedures and patient care.
Speaking on the development, the Chief Medical Director (CMD) of UBTH commended the Federal Government and its partners for their continued commitment to quality healthcare delivery. She described the intervention as a major boost to the hospital’s oxygen supply capacity and a timely contribution to patient care excellence.
According to her, the 10-ton oxygen supply equivalent to about 700 large oxygen cylinders marks the first of three scheduled supplies under the project. She noted that after the completion of these phases, UBTH will collaborate directly with the project partners to ensure sustainability, guaranteeing uninterrupted oxygen availability in the hospital.
The CMD further explained that, although UBTH already operates two functional oxygen gas plants, this additional LOX system will further strengthen supply reliability, reduce operational costs, and enhance service efficiency, enabling the hospital to continue delivering quality and affordable healthcare to all patients.
She emphasized that the project’s successful execution reflects UBTH’s unwavering commitment to innovation, service excellence, and patient-centered care, reaffirming the hospital’s reputation as a trailblazer among Nigeria’s tertiary health institutions.
Also present at the event were the CMAC, Prof. Stanley Okugbo and the DCMAC Clinicals, Dr Osho Philip.
This timely provision of liquid oxygen is an integral component of the Federal Government’s Global Fund-supported project, aimed at bolstering oxygen availability within federal tertiary hospitals nationwide. By ensuring a consistent and reliable supply of medical-grade oxygen, the government is actively strengthening the healthcare infrastructure and improving patient outcomes across the country.
UBTH’s successful LOX tank refilling stands as a testament to the effectiveness of this initiative and its potential to transform healthcare delivery in Nigeria.
