In a recent investigation, Starnews NG has confirmed that Ondo State is indeed at the forefront of medical oxygen production with the commissioning of its first Medical Oxygen Plant. Inaugurated by Governor Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa in August 2025, the facility aims to enhance healthcare delivery within the state and reduce reliance on external suppliers.
During a visit to Akure Specialist Hospital, formally Mother and Child Hospital and the Okitipupa State Specialist Hospital, where the two plants are located, it was evident that these facilities are fully operational and capable of producing medical-grade oxygen for local hospitals. The plants utilise advanced Pressure Swing Adsorption (PSA) technology, which extracts oxygen from ambient air to ensure a steady supply for emergencies, surgeries, and neonatal care.
Key Details Regarding the Production Capabilities
Akure Oxygen Plant:
According to the Chief Medical Director, Dr. Eniowo Patricia, the daily output of the Akure plant is 40 cylinders.
A commonly used G-size hospital cylinder typically holds between 7,500 and 10,000 litres of oxygen, which means the Akure plant produces between 300,000 to 400,000 litres of gas every 24 hours. This volume can support approximately 80 children with severe pneumonia or 30 to 40 critical patients requiring round-the-clock therapy.
Supply Network:
The Akure plant supplies several major healthcare facilities across Ondo State, including:
- Federal Medical Centre (FMC) Owo: A key tertiary facility receiving direct supply from the Akure plant.
- Federal University of Technology Akure (FUTA) Teaching Hospital Complex: This facility relies on the plant for a steady supply of oxygen for critical and emergency care.
- Various Primary and Secondary Healthcare Centres: Other health facilities that previously sourced oxygen from external suppliers, such as Lagos, are now supported by the local plant.
Okitipupa Plant:
Sources at the State Specialist Hospital in Okitipupa report that the medical oxygen plant there has a production capacity of approximately 135 cylinders per day. This equates to roughly 720,000 litres of medical oxygen every 24 hours. This capacity is designed to provide round-the-clock oxygen treatment for up to 100 children with severe pneumonia or 50 to 60 patients with severe respiratory issues. The Okitipupa plant also supplies several major healthcare facilities across Ondo South and beyond.
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Sustainability and Cost Reduction
The establishment of these plants is part of a broader health sector initiative by the Ondo State Hospital Management Board, aimed at ensuring self-sufficiency and high-quality healthcare services within the state. The local production of medical oxygen is expected to significantly reduce costs associated with oxygen supply. Historically, patients in Nigeria have faced high out-of-pocket fees for oxygen therapy, often paying approximately ₦3,900 per day. With local production, these costs are anticipated to decrease, making healthcare more accessible.
In a related development, the Ondo State Hospital Management Board has facilitated a solar installation project to power the Okitipupa State Specialist Hospital. This initiative, part of the strategies under Governor Aiyedatiwa’s leadership, aims to partner with organisations, philanthropists, and high-net-worth individuals to reform and develop the Ondo State health sector.
According to Dr. Akeredolu Oluwafemi, also known as Akeredolu O.N., the solar project was donated and financed by Dr. Seinde Oladapo Fadeni, the Chairman of the Nigerian Aviation Handling Company Plc (NAHCO).
Upon request by the Hospital Management Board, the project was installed to ensure uninterrupted electricity supply for the hospital’s medical equipment, facilitating day-to-day operations. Starnews NG reports that the solar project is valued at ₦100 million.
In conclusion, Starnews NG reports that medical practitioners in the state have praised the Ondo State Government for its significant achievement in medical oxygen production, which promises to enhance healthcare delivery and address previous shortages.
In various interviews with our correspondents in Akure and Okitipupa, these practitioners urged the government to maintain its efforts in this direction, particularly in ensuring the sustainability and effectiveness of such vital initiatives.
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