Peter Sands, executive director of the Global Fund, along with government officials, representatives from Stop TB Partnership, and UNOPS, participated in the inauguration of the new Pressure Swing Adsorption (PSA) oxygen plant. According to a press statement, this installation signifies a major advancement in Bangladesh’s healthcare capabilities.
The project, under the ‘Global Fund Emergency Response for Bangladesh’, is spearheaded by the Communicable Disease Control (CDC) of the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) and the National Malaria Elimination Program (NMEP). Managed by UNOPS and funded by The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria (GFATM), the initiative aims to establish 29 PSA oxygen plants across the country. These plants will provide essential medical-grade oxygen, thereby strengthening the healthcare system and improving resilience to emergencies.
Prof. Dr. Ahmedul Kabir, acting director general of the DGHS, chaired the inauguration ceremony. He emphasized the importance of the PSA plant in enhancing treatment capabilities and setting a benchmark for future healthcare projects. “This plant significantly boosts our treatment capacity and serves as a model for other healthcare initiatives,” he stated.
In his keynote address, Peter Sands praised the progress made in Bangladesh’s healthcare sector. “The establishment of PSA plants in 29 hospitals is a notable achievement. The Covid-19 pandemic underscored the critical need for such infrastructure,” he highlighted. Sands also acknowledged the collaborative effort behind this success, stating, “This facility epitomizes the power of partnership and innovation in addressing global health challenges.”
Charles Rochford Callanan, director of the South Asia Multi-Country Office for UNOPS, commended the strong partnership between UNOPS, the Global Fund, and the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare (MoH&FW). He noted that this collaboration serves as a model for national ownership supported by dedicated technical assistance.
The event concluded with the ceremonial handover of the PSA oxygen plant and its site to the NIDCH director by UNOPS Country Manager Sudhir Muralidharan. This marks a significant CSR effort that underscores a long-term commitment to improving public health and well-being in Bangladesh.
