UNOPS and the Ethiopia Ministry of Health have formalised a $13.5m partnership financed by the World Bank for the procurement and installation of oxygen plants in hospitals throughout the African country.
This project will enhance healthcare delivery, improve emergency preparedness, and provide economic benefits, ensuring that medical facilities can offer consistent care to patients.
Setting up plants in Ethiopian hospitals decreases the dependency on imports, making them more cost effective.
The establishment and maintenance of these plants will also lead to job creation, skills transfer, and other economic benefits.
Under this agreement, UNOPS will oversee the procurement of modern oxygen generation and supply equipment, ensuring that the system meets the highest standards of quality, safety, and efficiency.
UNOPS will also manage the installation and integration of the system into health facilities, ensuring seamless and timely execution of the project.
Worknesh Mekonnen, Director of the Multi-Country Office of UNOPS and Representative to the AU, said, “The demand for oxygen supply systems has grown, particularly in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. This partnership ensures that we are not only meeting current needs but are also preparing for future demands in healthcare and industrial sectors”.
The installation, due to be completed by December 2025, aims to have fully operational oxygen systems across all targeted facilities, improving the capacity and reliability of oxygen delivery.
UNOPS also signed a new project agreement in Ethiopia worth $1.3m with the Ministry of Health, aimed at enhancing staff skills and competencies.
