By Hellen Bwalya
Kasama,– Minister of Health Sylvia Masebo has launched the construction of six medical oxygen plants that will be done at a cost of over 10.4 million United States dollars.
Ms Masebo said the oxygen plants will be done with financial support from the Global Funds.
Ms Masebo said that in addition, 10,400 oxygen cylinders were procured in 2023 at a total cost of over 1.2 million dollars and are already delivered to the sites receiving the plants.
The Minister said this in Kasama district during the groundbreaking ceremony for six medical oxygen production plants to be built in six provinces.

Ms Masebo said medical oxygen is one of the essential medicines that should be sufficient for people in need.
She however, said that access to oxygen remains a challenge with limited affordability and insufficient supply.
She said in Zambia, many people died during the outbreak of COVID-19 because of a lack of oxygen.
“Our medical facilities were starved of this essential commodity, and our people who had severe lung disease due to COVID-19 lost their lives,” she said.
“Today’s groundbreaking ceremony exemplifies the government’s commitment to the strategic objective of strengthening health systems,” she said.
And United Nations Office for Projects (UNOPS) Representative George Kamau said the medical oxygen plants will enhance oxygen delivery.
He said COVID-19 exposed the vulnerability of oxygen in Africa, especially for those with respiratory concerns.
He said the oxygen plants will serve as a lifeline and provide uninterrupted supply to those who may need it.
He said the six medical oxygen plants will serve as a lifeline for ensuring uninterrupted access to medical oxygen for those battling respiratory diseases or undergoing life-saving surgeries.
“We are honoured to embark on implementing six medical oxygen plants in six provincial hospitals,” he said.
He named the six hospitals where the plants will be done are Kasama General Hospital in Northern, St. Paul’s Mission in Luapula,Kabwe Central Hospital in Central Province, and Chinsali General Hospital in Muchinga Province.
Others are Kalindawalo General Hospital in the Eastern Province and the National Heart Hospital in Lusaka Province.
And Northern Province Permanent Secretary Bernard Mpundu said the ground-breaking ceremony of the medical oxygen plant at Kasama General Hospital has come at the right time as oxygen consumption in the province has increased.
Mr Mpundu said the province is spending about K120, 000 per month to ensure facilities have enough oxygen supply.
He said once the oxygen plants are constructed, they will greatly reduce the cost and allow the facilities in the province to have sufficient oxygen without interruption.
And Mr Mpundu appealed to the Minister of Health to consider rehabilitating Kasama General Hospital into a modern facility.
“This hospital was renovated in 1972; as such, it needs to be rehabilitated,” he appealed.
Meanwhile, Ministry of Health Permanent Secretary for Technical Services, Dr Kennedy Lishimpi said government is making strides in improving the health care system in Northern Province.
He said currently there are ten maternity annexes under construction.
Dr Lishimpi, however, highlighted some challenges the province is facing, among them inadequate transport.
Meanwhile, Paramount Chief Chitimukulu of the Bemba people thanked the government for the construction of medical oxygen production plants.
“This is a very good initiative that will help many people in need of this commodity,” he said.
The Mwinelubemba also appealed to the Minister to consider constructing another hospital in Kasama.
ZANIS