Nakuru County’s Pioneering Oxygen Plant

Written by Ruth Magak

The County’s Department of Health Services in collaboration with PATH has conducted a week-long training for resident biomedical engineers on the intricate process of oxygen production at the plant.

Nakuru County has the second largest oxygen production plant in the country with a capacity of producing 2,000 litres of oxygen per minute, operationalized by H.E. Governor Susan Kihika in November 2023.

The operationalization of the Oxygen Plant came with an emphasis on sustainable and efficient operation.

Biomedical engineers from Nakuru County Referral and Teaching Hospital, Naivasha Hospital, Bahati, Molo, Olenguruone, and Gilgil Sub County Hospitals have undergone a week-long comprehensive training covering everything from basic maintenance to advanced troubleshooting techniques.

Speaking during the training, the County Biomedical Engineers Coordinator, Eng. Keitany Kibet said that the production process starts with the Air receiver, which removes 78 per cent nitrogen, retaining 95 per cent oxygen. The oxygen then goes through a bacterial filter process to produce medical-grade oxygen, which is subsequently filtered and piped directly to the wards.

The plant also features a powerful compressor that helps refill about 40 cylinders per day, ensuring a steady and reliable supply of oxygen to the Nakuru County Referral and Teaching Hospital.

“This facility is a game-changer for Nakuru County, significantly enhancing our capacity to manage critical healthcare needs, especially in emergencies,” said Eng. Keitany.

The training was conducted in collaboration with PATH through the Source and Scale Project, a testament to the strong partnership between Nakuru County and international health organizations. Eunice Gathoni, a project manager at PATH, praised the county’s collaborative spirit. “Nakuru has been a great county to implement in, we have several areas of collaboration. We have the Source and Scale Project, we also support the County to build the capacity of the workforce in servicing and troubleshooting, market dynamics portfolio project among others that are coming up” she said.

Nakuru County is now set for improved rational use of oxygen, training clinicians and multidisciplinary teams on the inventory for all medical equipment.

Gathoni further highlighted PATH’s ongoing support saying that PATH will donate 150 flowmeters, which are devices used to measure the flow rate of oxygen, to be distributed across the county within the next few months.

This will greatly enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of oxygen delivery in our healthcare facilities.

The improvements don’t stop with the oxygen plant. Nakuru County is set to benefit from a series of initiatives aimed at elevating healthcare standards. The Source and Scale Project, for instance, focuses on building the technical skills of healthcare providers, ensuring they are well-equipped to handle modern medical equipment and practices.

Governor Susan Kihika’s administration continues to prioritize healthcare, recognizing its critical role in overall community well-being. The investment in both infrastructure and human resources is a forward-thinking approach, designed to meet current healthcare demands and anticipate future needs.

The community has already begun to feel the positive impact of these developments. With the enhanced capacity to produce and manage oxygen supplies, patients in Nakuru County can expect more reliable and timely medical interventions.

This is particularly crucial for critical care patients, including those in maternity wards and intensive care units.

Nakuru County’s investment in healthcare infrastructure, combined with strategic capacity-building initiatives, positions it as a model for sustainable development in healthcare.