It has been a long road, but a few weeks ago two PSA oxygen plants supplied by Afrimed officially handed over to the Mauritanian government. i+solutions ensured the procurement of the oxygen plants, construction at the hospital site, installation, commissioning of the plants and training of the local staff, making this a turnkey solution!
The regional hospitals of Boghé and Zouératt, that serve hundreds of patients every day, can now produce their own oxygen with a purity of over 93% and deliver it to patients directly at their beds via a newly installed medical gas piping system (MGPS). The plants also allow for filling of oxygen cilinders, up to 54 per day. The installed PSA plants will serve many other clinics in the region.
Dr. Heyine of SENLS, the National Executive Secretariat for AIDS Control, says: “This is a monumental step in improving healthcare infrastructure in Mauritania. The joint visit by SENLS, i+solutions and AFRIMED enabled the PSA plants at the Boghé and Zouératt regional hospitals to be put into operation, making them self-sufficient in oxygen production, both for their facilities and those in the surrounding area, and to say goodbye to oxygen imports from other cities.”
The director of the hospital, Mr. Cheuf Ahmed Maadh, recognizes the significance of being finally able to produce oxygen locally and commented: “This initiative is a gamechanger for our hospital and the communities we serve.“
The oxygen project, funded by the Global Fund, has a huge impact on health care delivery, but it does not come without challenges. Many hospitals have no structure whatsoever in place for oxygen production, meaning everything, from the foundation to the rooftop, has to be constructed. The electrical installation of the hospitals has to be upgraded and generators procured to make sure the oxygen plants have proper air-conditioning and do not get too hot. Locations are often far from the capital city, like in the case of Zouératt, at a one-day drive. Our LSP Bolloré provided excellent service, as did our supplier Afrimed. Communication was smooth between all parties, also with government officials and the hospital administration.
