Efforts to develop the first modern East Africa’s largest oxygen plant have commenced at the Tatu Industrial Park in the Tatu City Special Economic Zone. This comes a day after the groundbreaking ceremony on Friday which was attended by the US ambassador to Tanzania Meg Whitman and the Finnish Ambassador to Tanzania Pirkka Tapiola. Upon completion, the plant will meet the increasing demand for medical grade liquid oxygen in the health sector in the region.
Construction cost
The project is being led by Hewatele and is supported by development finance from the United States Development Finance Corporation, the Finnish government through Finnfund, Grand Challenges Canada, Soros Economic Development Fund, and the UBS Optimus Foundation of Switzerland, with total funding of $20 million (Sh2. 5 billion). Hewatele founder Bernard Olayo mentioned that through the project, oxygen of high quality will be provided for constantly in the different facilities in equal measure. He also added that it will also help in attaining the vision of Universal Health Care and help support the economy of the country.
Scope
Emergency health care services are basic human right that leads to improvement of quality of life and enabling citizens to prioritize personal and business opportunities Universal health care remains a turning point that needs global cooperation, solidarity and resources mobilization, Olayo noted. The ambassador Whitman further affirmed that the project is in an interest of Kenya, and the US would be delighted to join Hewatele in ensuring the success of the project. Thus, the United States is honored to join Hewatele to launch this vital plant.
“This facility is a bonus to Kenya’s health sector and a means of employment in a developing sector, she noted.
Ambassador Tapiola on his part said:Ambassador Tapiola on his part said:
“The cooperation will improve the flow of oxygen and guarantee emergency response This is quite a noble project that we in Finland are happy to support It has high developmental relevance to the improvement of health care provision in Kenya, moreover the facility will produce 20 ton of medical oxygen per day.
The country really suffered with supply of oxygen during the El Covid -19 scourge because most of the Intensive Care Unit required artificial oxygen to assist with critical cases.
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