Project To Scale-up Oxygen Supply And Vaccine Storage Capacity Launched In Borno
On 13 April 2021, a virtual stakeholder event was held to launch the “Strengthening the health system in conflict-affected and Hard to Reach Areas in Borno State“ project.
With funding from the Government of Japan, this project will be implemented by UNOPS in close partnership with the Embassy of Japan in Nigeria, Borno State Government, North East Development Commission (NEDC), and Borno State Ministry of Health. It will be implemented over a 12-month period starting from 31 March 2021.
The project will strengthen healthcare provision, build resilience of health systems in conflict-affected communities, and enable primary healthcare facilities to provide acceptable standards of medical care in the wake of COVID-19 pandemic. The project is expected to directly benefit approximately 7.1M million people within 26 Local Government Areas (LGAs) in Borno State, of which 24% are children and approximately 45% are women. Two new oxygen plants will be constructed and equipped within the premises of State Specialist Hospital Maiduguri and Biu General Hospital. In addition, 23 primary health centres within Borno State will be equipped with solar refrigerators to scale up vaccine storage capacity.
The project launch event was held virtually with key stakeholders joining remotely due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Guest of Honour for the event was His Excellency Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, the Executive Governor of Borno State, who delivered the keynote speech and formally launched the project. The event was attended by stakeholders and dignitaries from various ministries, government institutions, development partners and UN agencies. Other special guests include His Excellency Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, Governor of Borno State, Mr. Edward Kallon, UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Nigeria, Mr. Shinozawa Takayuki, Chargé d’ Affaires a.i. of the Embassy of Japan in Nigeria, and Mr. Mohammed Goni Alkali – Managing Director, North-East Development Commission.
Mrs. Ifeoma Charles-Monwuba, Director and Representative of UNOPS Ghana Multi-Country Office (GMCO), in her welcome remarks highlighted that “UNOPS is well positioned to support the infrastructure development of the North east in line with its mandate and to drive an extensive oxygen response that increase the capacity of health facilities to meet the desperate need for oxygen therapy caused by COVID-19 to save the lives of children with severe pneumonia in Borno State, Nigeria.”
Followed by key remarks from the guest speakers.
Mr. Shinozawa Takayuki – Chargé d’ Affaires a.i. of the Embassy of Japan in Nigeria stated “We hope that this project, funded by the Government of Japan, will help to improve the health situation in Borno State which is in difficult circumstances because of insurgency and the current global health crisis. Japan will continue to help to enhance the livelihood of people in Borno state and stand by the people of Nigeria, as partner, even in difficult times.”
Mr. Mohammed Goni Alkali, Managing Director of North-East Development Commission stated “the project will complement North-East Development Commission’s ongoing drive to bolster the healthcare capacity in the region and efforts to combat the pandemic by ensuring that diagnostic facilities are adequately equipped to handle any future outbreaks of infectious diseases and other health facilities upgraded. I would like to take this opportunity to appreciate the effort and contribution from The Government of Japan and the UNOPS, especially to UN Nigeria Mr. Edward Kallon who is a tireless support and assistance within people of North East Nigeria.” and “We remain committed to supporting all partners in efforts to improve the wellbeing of the people of the North East. It is hoped that we can continue to work closely together and cement a strong partnership for the development due diligence with many more collaborations in the future.”
Prof. Husseini Isah Marte, the Chief of Staff to the Executive Governor of Borno State and Acting Honorable Commissioner of Health, stated “The scale-up of oxygen supply and vaccine storage capacity in Borno state is timely and highly appreciated. After the completion of the project, the Ministry and the government of Borno State will assure UNOPS that the project is sustained over 50 years. I will give you this assurance from the Ministry and His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Borno State that we will not really allow this project to fail because it’s a golden opportunity given to the Borno state. And it’s going to help mitigate COVID-19 impact, especially those that are hospitalised and indeed even non-COVID patients, where the lung function is compromised. Thus, we are highly grateful for the project.”
Mr. Edward Kallon, UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Nigeria stated ”The project will complement all other interventions of the UN, greatly improve COVID-19 severe case management, build resilience of the health system and also improve emergency healthcare delivery in Borno State. Thus, Borno State will be better equipped to treat children with respiratory illnesses and respond to COVID-19.” and “the UN in Nigeria will continue to provide strategic support to the government of Nigeria based on the key competencies and comparative advantages of the collective UN development system. I am looking forward to the coming months and wish this project the utmost success”
Mrs. Sonja Varga, Head of Programme of UNOPS GMCO, delivered the presentation on the project overview. Lessons from a similar oxygen plant project implemented by UNOPS in Kenya was presented by Mr. Philip Gatongi Maina, Project Architect of UNOPS Technical Services Unit (TSU) based in Kenya.
In the keynote speech, His Excellency Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, Governor of Borno State stated “Let me first and foremost use this opportunity to convey my deep appreciation to the Government of Japan for the tremendous support that has been rendered to the government and people of Borno State. Japan has funded many projects in Borno State through UNDP, and most of the projects have succeeded in achieving the desired results.” and “I’m happy to know that the Government of Japan is providing another support through UNOPS to strengthen the healthcare system in Borno State. This is very important especially to our primary health care system because the insurgency has destroyed many health facilities. Most importantly, the issue of health service delivery and capacity building in the health sector are very key to the government and people of Borno State, and therefore the government of Borno State under my leadership will give the desired cooperation to the implementing partners. One very important thing we wish to bring into your notice that we will take the lead on the process with respect to the institutional arrangement for project implementation.”
This project launch event provided an opportunity for key stakeholders to align expectations and establish a common and mutual understanding of the project. The project launch event ended with a fruitful and informative discussion.
