.By Chinaza Osigwe
Anambra State Commissioner for Information, Dr. Law Mefor, has advocated for the enactment of laws to prohibit the use of industrial oxygen in hospitals across the state, warning that its continued usage poses serious risks to human health.
Dr. Mefor made the call during a courtesy visit to the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Anambra State Oxygen Production Plant, Lady Nwamaka Arinze, at her office within the Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University Teaching Hospital (COOUTH), Awka.
The commissioner expressed concern over the prevalence of industrial oxygen in medical facilities, describing it as a life-threatening practice. “Since it has been proven that industrial oxygen is not suitable for human consumption, there should be legislation banning its use, with defined penalties for violators,” Mefor said.
He lamented the tendency in some quarters to prioritize profit over safety, citing the broader societal issue of pursuing wealth at the expense of morality. “You don’t have to put people’s lives at risk just to make extra money,” he added. “We see this every day — a dangerous prioritization of money over human life.”
Referencing recent regulatory actions such as the closure of Ọgbọ Ọgwụ drug market by NAFDAC over the sale of fake and expired drugs, Mefor stressed that legislation must be backed by effective enforcement. “Sometimes the problem is not the absence of law but lack of enforcement. And enforcement in Anambra has its own unique challenges,” he noted.
He assured that the Ministry of Information would collaborate with the Oxygen Production Plant to raise public awareness on the dangers of using industrial oxygen in medical settings.
Earlier, the MD/CEO of the Oxygen Plant, Lady Arinze, reaffirmed her commitment to ensuring the availability and affordability of pure medical oxygen in the state, in line with the mandate given to her by Governor Chukwuma Charles Soludo.
She condemned the use of industrial oxygen in hospitals, revealing that despite efforts to supply high-quality oxygen, some healthcare providers still opt for the cheaper, harmful alternative. “It is sad that doctors who know the dangers still choose to use it. But we remain committed to saving lives, not destroying them,” she stated.
Arinze added that the plant maintains a standby supply of medical oxygen to respond to emergencies, emphasizing the need for collective responsibility in safeguarding public health.
