Delight Chinedum

Anambra State Commissioner for Information, Dr Law Mefor has expressed worry over continued use of industrial oxygen instead of pure medical oxygen in hospitals in the state.

He described such act as very dangerous, calling for legislation to stop the trend.

Mefor stated this at the State Oxygen Production Plant, Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University Teaching Hospital (COOUTH), Awka.

He assured his Ministry’s willingness to partner the office to sensitise Ndị Anambra on dangers of using industrial oxygen in hospitals.

He said, “Since it’s proved that industrial oxygen is not good for human consumption, it should be a legislative issue.

“There should be a law against it; providing a clear punishment.

“This is because without legislation, our people will still go for what they consider cheap regardless of the final outcome.

“That is one thing I noticed in the South East.

“They go into wealth without morality. It’s a very dangerous thing.

“Every penny must be earned in a decent way.

“You don’t have to put people’s lives in the line because you want extra or quick money. I have seen it everywhere.

“Everywhere you turn, you see that high premium is placed on money over and above human lives.

“Ọgbọ Ọgwụ was recently closed by NAFDAC for fake, expired and banned drugs.

“The only way to really curb or contain this is through legislation.

“Of course, it doesn’t stop at legislation.

“We also need to enforce the law because sometimes, the problem is not even the absence of law but enforcement.

“And enforcement in Anambra State has its own challenges.”

Earlier, the MD/CEO, Anambra State Oxygen Production Plant, Lady Arinze decried the use of industrial oxygen in hospitals.

She said she has Governor Chukwuma Soludo’s mandate to ensure pure medical oxygen was made available, accessible and affordable to Ndị Anambra.

“I thank God we have been producing pure medical oxygen. We always have standby oxygen in case of emergency.

“The challenge we are having is trying to educate some doctors who I’m aware know that industrial oxygen is not good for human consumption.

“You know here in Nigeria, they only do autopsy for corpses in controversy.

“For others, if they are given industrial oxygen and they die, you still pay the doctor before you carry the corpse.

“It is ours to build and not to destroy. It is ours to save lives in any little way we can,” she said.