UNOPS, Government and Global Fund Partner to Launch Medical Oxygen Production Plant at Kasama General Hospital

Government, through the Ministry of Health has commissioned the new medical oxygen production plant located at Kasama General Hospital. 

Health Minister Elijah Muchima said this was to ensure a stable and sustainable supply of oxygen for the treatment of respiratory and emergency conditions.

"Located in Northern Province, the newly commissioned medical production oxygen plant will serve healthcare institutions within and beyond the region," said Dr Muchima.

The Minister said the milestone underscored the government’s continued commitment to advancing healthcare delivery and ensuring life-saving medical resources were accessible to all Zambians.

Funded by the Global Fund, the setting up of the Plant was facilitated by UNOPS by managing the procurement and construction of the medical production oxygen plant, which intends to significantly improve healthcare services in the region by providing consistent access to medical oxygen. 

To date, it is the third medical oxygen plant to be completed and officially handed over. In May 2024, UNOPS, in partnership with UNICEF, the Government of Sweden, and the Ministry of Health, inaugurated the medical oxygen plant at Kitwe Teaching Hospital. 

In November 2024, the Ministry of Health through UNOPS, with support from the Global Fund commissioned the medical production oxygen plant at the National Heart Hospital in Lusaka.

The event was also graced by the Provincial Leadership led by Provincial Minister, Permanent Secretary, Kasama District Commissioner and the Area Member of Parliament.

The medical production oxygen plants employ Pressure Swing Adsorption (PSA) technology, which extracts oxygen from ambient air under pressure. In addition to plant installation, the project encompasses the full design, procurement, and installation of oxygen distribution systems—including pipelines and manifolds—ensuring continuous oxygen flow to critical hospital departments. 

Each facility will also be equipped with a standby generator and a skip truck for oxygen cylinder transport.

Work is ongoing on the remaining medical production oxygen plants located at St Paul’s Mission Hospital in Nchelenge (Luapula Province), Kabwe Central Hospital (Central Province), Chinsali General Hospital (Muchinga Province), and Kalindawalo General Hospital (Eastern Province). Once completed, these plants will collectively enhance oxygen supply capacity across all targeted provinces.