On September 14, 2022, The United States government funded a new oxygen plant in Preah Vihear province, northern Cambodia, which will benefit close to 300,000 people. The facility, funded through the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), is located at the 16 Makara Provincial Hospital and was developed in partnership with UNICEF and the Cambodian Ministry of Health.
“This plant will meet the oxygen needs for critical services such as COVID-19 case management, surveys, and intensive care,” U.S. Ambassador to Cambodia W. Patrick Murphy said.
He added, “It is one component of more than $16 million in U.S. government support to Cambodia’s pandemic response and a strong example of the ties that bind our two nations.”
The oxygen plant is the first of its kind in the province. 16 Makara Provincial Hospital serves seven districts with an approximate population of 284,000. In addition to providing critical support for the care of COVID-19 patients, a reliable supply of oxygen will significantly benefit the communities that depend on the hospital’s services.
“Oxygen can be the difference between life and death. That’s why UNICEF is working with the Royal Government of Cambodia to improve the oxygen supply and infrastructure while building the capacity of health workers to provide it,” Foroogh Foyouzat, UNICEF’s Representative in Cambodia, said.
She added, “We are very grateful to the United States, specifically USAID, for supporting this lifesaving new oxygen plant which will improve today’s health outcomes and build resilience to tomorrow’s challenges.”
The oxygen plant package consists of a 300 liters-per-minute (LPM) medical oxygen generator with a cylinder-filling station and connection to the hospital oxygen pipeline. As a result of this project, the hospital no longer needs to purchase oxygen cylinders from private suppliers or send its oxygen cylinders to distant locations for refilling. This will save time and money while reducing the potential for shortages of medical oxygen that jeopardize patient treatment.
Photo by: Supplied
