New Oxygen Plant Commissioned at St. Paul's Mission Hospital to Strengthen Critical Care in Luapula
A new medical oxygen plant has been commissioned at St. Paul's Mission Hospital in Nchelenge District, Luapula Province, marking a significant step forward in Zambia's efforts to secure a reliable supply of life-saving oxygen for critical respiratory and emergency care.
The facility is one of six strategically installed plants now operational across Luapula, Central, Muchinga, Northern, and Eastern provinces. Together, the new installations meaningfully expand the country's overall oxygen supply capacity and bring dependable provision closer to the health centres that need it most.
Implemented by UNOPS with funding from The Global Fund and strong support from the Zambia Ministry of Health, the St. Paul's plant is designed for continuous, round-the-clock operation under optimal conditions, with a minimum production capability of 6,000 litres of oxygen per day. It employs state-of-the-art Pressure Swing Adsorption (PSA) technology, which separates medical-grade oxygen directly from ambient air, removing the logistical burden of cylinder deliveries from distant suppliers.
UNOPS managed extensive site preparation and infrastructure development across the approximately 2,000 square metre site. This involved the removal of dilapidated structures, a decommissioned septic tank, and two latrines, alongside the installation of a perimeter wall, controlled-access gate, and an independent fire detection and suppression system to safeguard long-term resilience. The wider system is fully integrated, with oxygen distribution pipelines, manifolds serving key clinical areas, a dedicated standby generator, and a vehicle for cylinder logistics, all working in concert to maximise reliability.
Speaking at the commissioning, Minister of Health Dr Alex Katakwe underlined the broad clinical value of the investment. "Medical oxygen is a critical component of care in obstetrics, neonatal services, surgery, trauma management, and the treatment of infectious diseases," he said.
For Nchelenge District and its neighbouring health centres, the implications are immediate. Reliable oxygen supply is fundamental to safe deliveries, the management of respiratory infections in children and adults, and the stabilisation of trauma and surgical patients. Until now, facilities in remoter parts of Luapula have often faced supply gaps that placed avoidable pressure on clinicians and families alike.
Annie Sampa, Chair of the Country Coordinating Mechanism and Global Fund representative, used the occasion to draw attention to the work that lies ahead. "As we commission this facility today, our responsibility now shifts from infrastructure delivery to performance, reporting, and sustainability," she said.
George Kamau, UNOPS Project Manager and Eastern and Southern Africa representative, also addressed the gathering, emphasising the significance of the project for the communities served by the six new plants and the importance of partnership in delivering them.
With the six plants now in operation, attention turns to maintenance regimes, staff training, and the monitoring frameworks that will determine whether the gains made on commissioning day translate into sustained clinical benefit over the years to come.