Zambia commissions new medical oxygen plant in Kasama

ZAMBIA—Zambia has reached a major milestone in healthcare delivery with the commissioning of a new medical oxygen production plant at Kasama General Hospital in Northern Province.

Officiated by the Minister of Health, Hon. Dr. Elijah J. Muchima, this plant is part of a broader initiative to strengthen the country’s medical infrastructure and ensure a reliable supply of life-saving oxygen for hospitals across the region and beyond.

This achievement is one of six new oxygen plants being constructed in key provinces, including Lusaka, Central, Eastern, Luapula, and Muchinga, with a total investment of approximately US$10.48 million, funded by the Global Fund and managed by the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS).

The plants utilize advanced Pressure Swing Adsorption (PSA) technology, which extracts medical-grade oxygen from ambient air, ensuring a consistent and sustainable supply for treating respiratory conditions and emergencies.

The Kasama facility, like the others, is equipped with modern oxygen distribution systems, including pipelines and manifolds, to deliver oxygen directly to critical hospital departments.

Each hospital will also receive a standby generator and a skip truck for transporting oxygen cylinders, further enhancing operational reliability.

This project follows the successful commissioning of similar plants at Kitwe Teaching Hospital in May 2024 and the National Heart Hospital in Lusaka in November 2024.

 Additional plants at Kabwe Central, Chinsali General, Kalindawalo General, and St Paul’s Mission Hospital are either ready for commissioning or nearing completion, collectively boosting Zambia’s capacity to respond to medical emergencies and chronic respiratory illnesses.

During the ceremony, Dr. Muchima expressed deep gratitude to President Hakainde Hichilema, the Global Fund, and UNOPS for their dedication to improving the well-being of Zambians.

He emphasized the importance of continued partnership to build a healthier and more resilient future.

UNOPS Director for Eastern and Southern Africa, Rainer Frauenfeld, also highlighted the significance of these developments, stating that the new facilities bring Zambia closer to ensuring that no patient is left behind due to a lack of essential medical resources.

With these investments, Zambia is making significant strides in healthcare infrastructure, aiming to provide equitable access to critical medical supplies for all its citizens.

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