Equatorial Guinea has made a significant leap forward in improving healthcare accessibility with the inauguration of its first public oxygen production plant. This milestone, marked on May 9, 2024, at the Bata Regional Hospital, comes with the promise of reliable, affordable, and accessible medical oxygen, a crucial resource that has often been in short supply. For healthcare professionals like Juan de Dios, a nurse at the hospital, the impact of this development is personal and profound. In the past, he vividly recalls the constant struggle to provide oxygen during emergencies. “There was always a race against time, and sometimes, it was impossible to procure it on time,” he reflects. The high cost of oxygen meant families, even those already struggling financially, had to bear the burden of paying for it, creating a desperate situation where lives were at risk. The new oxygen plant, however, has changed all that, offering a steady supply of oxygen at a much lower cost.
The opening of the plant is a direct response to the critical gaps exposed during the COVID-19 pandemic, when many African nations, including Equatorial Guinea, faced severe shortages of medical oxygen. Before the plant’s establishment, the country relied on a handful of private hospitals with costly oxygen supply systems, making it inaccessible for the majority of the population. The plant, now operational, produces around 24 cylinders of medical-grade oxygen each day using pressure swing adsorption (PSA) technology. This technology ensures that the oxygen produced meets the high standards necessary for medical use and is available without financial strain on hospitals or patients.
Eleuteria, a family caregiver whose sister suffers from a chronic respiratory condition, knows first-hand the difference the new plant has made. “Before, the cost of oxygen was so high that I was always worried about how to afford it,” she shares. “But now, I paid only a fraction of the usual amount, and my sister was able to recover without the financial burden we once faced.” The cost of oxygen in the country had been prohibitive, often leaving families with difficult choices. Now, with the new plant, more patients can receive the care they need, regardless of their financial situation.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has been instrumental in the creation and operation of the plant, not only by providing technical support but also by ensuring its long-term sustainability. WHO experts trained local staff and established a user manual to ensure the plant remains functional for years to come. Dr. George Ameh, WHO’s representative in Equatorial Guinea, highlighted the long-term vision of the project: “The availability of oxygen is no longer a luxury but a guarantee for all those who need it.” The plant also supports the country’s island regions, providing a much-needed safety net in the event of shortages.
Dr. Manuel Eyene Bacale Ayeto, head of the hospital where the plant operates, is equally optimistic about its impact. “We no longer have to turn patients away because of oxygen shortages,” he says. “The plant has allowed us to care for everyone, no matter where they come from, without worrying about costs or availability.” This transformation has undoubtedly saved lives, reducing the need for patients to be transferred to private hospitals due to a lack of oxygen.
The inauguration of this plant represents not just a technical achievement, but a profound shift in how healthcare is delivered in Equatorial Guinea. It marks the beginning of a new era in which essential medical resources are no longer out of reach for the majority of the population. For professionals like Juan de Dios, the plant is a beacon of hope, signaling that life-saving treatment is now a reality for many who previously faced overwhelming barriers. The progress made here is a model for other nations in Africa and beyond, showing that with determination and international support, even the most challenging healthcare issues can be addressed.
