By Chukwudi Nwauba :
Anambra State Government in partnership with the United Nations Children Fund (UNICEF) has trained no fewer than 222 health workers on the use of oxygen, oxygen devices and oxygen delivery services in health facilities.
Commissioner for Health, Dr. Afam Obidike said that the training became necessary based on the gap analysis conducted by his ministry.
“We also did oxygen assessment in the state, not only that and we believe that it is important for us to build the capacity on the use of oxygen and I am sure you all have learnt that oxygen if not appropriately used becomes toxic and wasteful.
Dr. Obidike noted that Gov. Charles Soludo is passionate about the training with the objective of reducing deaths as a result of not using the oxygen properly as at when due to save lives in the hospital.
He said this during the trainers training on the use of oxygen, oxygen devices and oxygen delivery in Awka.
The Two hundred and twenty two participants were selected from the Primary Healthcare Centres, Doctors and Matrons from General Hospitals, Directors and some selected newly recruited Doctors in the state attended the training which is the third phase of the programme.
Dr. Obidike explained that oxygen is key to giving life to a patient emphasizing that oxygen, if not properly used, could be toxic and wasteful to the body.
He assured that the State government through his ministry would make oxygen available to all the healthcare facilities in the state.
“I must commend the facilitators, Dr. Cyril Nwachukwu who is a Consultant Anesthetist, Intensivist and Dr. Ifeatu Oranusi.”
Dr. Ugochukwu Chukwulobelu, the Head of Medical Support Services, said that the training was to expose the participants on all they need to know about oxygen and oxygen usage, as well as its devices.
“The participants will equally train their colleagues in the various healthcare centres for improved service delivery in the state.
One of the participants, Mrs. Florence Ojukwu, Director, Onitsha South Primary Health Authority, said that the training has exposed her to the use of oxygen, when to use it and the quantity to apply at any given time.
The Information Officer writes from the Ministry of Health, Awka.
