The Ministry of Health (MoH) officially inaugurated a Pressure Swing Adsorption (PSA) Oxygen Plant at the Jackson F. Doe Memorial Referral Hospital in Tappita, Nimba County, on Thursday, February 27, 2025. The new plant will provide surrounding health facilities and communities with a reliable oxygen supply.
The commissioning ceremony was attended by senior government officials, international partners, health professionals, and local leaders, all of whom highlighted the importance of this new facility. Dr. Catherine T. Cooper, Liberia’s Chief Medical Officer and Deputy Minister for Health Services emphasized the significance of the plant, noting that previous health crises like the Ebola outbreak and the COVID-19 pandemic exposed the country’s vulnerability regarding oxygen availability. Dr. Cooper explained that in 2020 and 2021, only three operational oxygen plants existed in Liberia, producing a mere 30 to 40 cylinders per day, far from adequate to meet the needs of the healthcare system.
With the new plant, Dr. Cooper affirmed, Liberia is taking a significant step toward ensuring the country’s healthcare infrastructure is more resilient and capable of meeting the demands of critical care. She also expressed the government’s dedication to advancing healthcare across the nation. “This plant is part of a broader effort to improve medical infrastructure and ensure that quality healthcare is accessible to all Liberians,” she said, adding that the government is working on long-term strategies to incorporate oxygen supply into the national health budget, reducing dependency on external funding.
The Global Fund funded the oxygen plant, one of four newly completed facilities in Liberia. The other plants are in Grand Kru, Grand Gedeh, and Lofa counties. Each plant can produce 100 cylinders of medical oxygen daily, marking a major improvement in the country’s healthcare capacity.
Manasse Kassi, Fund Portfolio Manager for Western and Central Africa at the Global Fund, praised Liberia’s ongoing commitment to strengthening its healthcare system. “The Global Fund has invested nearly half a billion dollars in Liberia’s health sector since 2004, focusing on tackling diseases like HIV, tuberculosis, and malaria, as well as enhancing healthcare infrastructure,” he stated. Kassi emphasized that sustainability would be critical for the success of the oxygen plant, stressing the importance of proper maintenance and ongoing investment from the government and local health authorities.
Dr. Victor Z. Kaizer, CEO of Jackson F. Doe Hospital, welcomed the new oxygen plant, calling it a “lifeline for patients” in the region. He highlighted the challenges the hospital had faced previously in acquiring oxygen, particularly the high transportation costs incurred when sourcing oxygen from distant locations like Monrovia and Bong County. “This facility will benefit Jackson F. Doe Hospital and surrounding health centers, making oxygen more affordable and accessible,” Dr. Kaizer said.
Dr. Ponnie Robertlee Dolo, County Health Officer of Nimba County, recognized the historical challenges hospitals in the region faced in obtaining oxygen. He explained that until now, health facilities had to endure long journeys to acquire oxygen at exorbitant costs, which often hindered their ability to deliver timely care. “This new plant will transform our healthcare system and improve service delivery,” Dr. Dolo noted. He also emphasized integrating oxygen production data into Liberia’s routine health information systems to facilitate efficient distribution and monitoring.
The new facility has generated widespread support from health organizations. Dr. Ibrahim Kamara, Deputy Country Director for Programs at Plan International Liberia, expressed enthusiasm about the project, calling it a critical investment in Liberia’s healthcare system. He urged the government and hospital administrators to ensure the plant is well-maintained and fully utilized.
The PSA Oxygen Plant will be managed in collaboration with the Emergency Medical Services (EMS) team to ensure timely oxygen distribution to hospitals and clinics in the region. Local healthcare workers have expressed their gratitude for the plant, and Nurse Linda Weah from Jackson F. Doe Hospital noted the tremendous relief the facility will bring. “Having a steady oxygen supply will save many lives,” she said.
The commissioning ceremony concluded with a tour of the new plant, where technical experts demonstrated how the PSA system operates to generate high-purity medical oxygen. The plant’s commissioning represents a significant milestone for Liberia’s healthcare sector and underscores the government’s commitment to providing universal health coverage and improving emergency preparedness nationwide.
