Hospital oxygen plant commissioned

AN oxygen generation plant at the Port Moresby General Hospital (PMGH) was commissioned yesterday.
Minister for Health and HIV/AIDS Jelta Wong, Health Department secretary Dr Osborne Liko and representative from the World Health Organisation (WHO) Anna Maalsen witnessed the commissioning.
PMGH chief executive officer Dr Paki Molumi said the oxygen plant was the initiative of the Government, in partnership with WHO to improve the hospital’s oxygen capacity.
The demand for it had increased during the pandemic.
Dr Molumi said the facility was established at a cost of US$600,000 (about K2 million).
“The hospital will be saving the K2 million used to procure oxygen every year with this facility on site,” he said.
“If the plant is looked after properly, it can last 25 years.
“Medical oxygen is a therapeutic product, therefore, its production, packaging must be undertaken with requirements of best practice governing good manufacturing practice.
“To ensure that PMGH board and management will enter into an agreement to engage a licensed contractor with qualified engineers to manage this plant.
“This is to ensure quality oxygen that is safe for patients to be generated.
“The oxygen supply from this plant will complement the BOC gas supply.”
Dr Molumi thanked the Government for ensuring that PMGH had the first oxygen plant.