Mozambique inaugurates US$1M oxygen production plant in partnership with USAID

MOZAMBIQUE – Mozambique has partnered with the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) to launch a new US$1M oxygen production plant at the Monapo District Hospital in Nampula Province.

USAID collaborated with Mozambique’s Ministry of Health to establish the oxygen production plant at the hospital including providing materials needed during construction to ensure the facility was ready to receive the plant.

The US-manufactured oxygen production plant called a Pressure Swing Adsorption (PSA) plant will produce medical grade oxygen from atmospheric air and fill oxygen cylinders that will be distributed to other facilities within the Monapo District.

The Pressure Swing Adsorption plant at Monapo District Hospital has the capacity to produce medical oxygen requirements to simultaneously treat 25 severe COVID-19 patients and up to 150 patients.

The oxygen plant will boost oxygen supply to provide life-saving care for COVID-19 patients in Mozambique as well as improve emergency preparedness to support the country’s ongoing COVID-19 response.

The oxygen production plant will also generate enough oxygen to meet other medical needs such as the treatment of childhood pneumonia, safe births, basic surgeries and beyond.

In addition, Mozambique has received technical assistance on the operations of the US-manufactured oxygen production facility from the United States Agency for International Development to help accelerate the ongoing recovery from the COVID-19 crisis.

During the oxygen plant hand over, USAID Deputy Mission Director Martin McLaughlin reaffirmed the US government’s commitment to collaborating with the Ministry of Health in providing resources for Mozambique’s healthcare system to help treat and prevent COVID-19 infections.

“The new oxygen plant is a physical symbol of what the United States and Mozambican partnership can build together,” said Mr. Martin McLaughlin at the inauguration event.

Mr. McLaughlin revealed that the US has invested more than US$94 million in COVID assistance across Mozambique to build the capacity of health workers and strengthen the country’s health system.

Moreover, Mozambique has received over 4.5 million doses of the single-dose Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccines from the US to support the government’s efforts to vaccinate its people against COVID-19 in an effort to combat the widespread virus.

The United States Agency for International Development also provided SolarWorks! Mozambique a US$320,000 grant to install solar photovoltaic systems in 92 health centres in the Mozambican province of Sofala.

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