Topcare, Oxygen Hub launch plant in Nakuru amid rising Covid cases

The Covid-19 pandemic significantly increased the number of patients in need of medical oxygen in hospitals.

Consequently, this laid bare the oxygen gap that existed in the country in both the private and public sector.

Kenya has continued to scale up medical oxygen availability to increase its accessibility and meet the growing demand.

As such Topcare Limited, in collaboration with Oxygen Hub, have launched an oxygen plant in Nakuru aimed at bridging the gap that exists in the country.

This is the second twin plant the company has opened following the first one in Kitengela Kajiado county.

According to Topcare CEO Ruth Wambui, the oxygen plant will supply the healthcare facilities in Nakuru and the entire Rift Valley Region.

"A study done by the Ministry of Health in 2021 shows that Oxygen availability in our country is about 16-20 percent and the low level facilities have a coverage of less than 30 percent."

"Our wish is to bridge this gap by ensuring that anybody who requires medical oxygen be it in the clinic, in the villages, or in a big facility get that important service," Wambui stated.

The twin plant has the capability of producing more than 200 cylinders or 8.5 cubic meters of oxygen per day.

Topcare Limited is the first location for the Oxygen Hub Franchise business. The company has been supporting African entrepreneurs to start and expand Oxygen plants across Africa.

According to Oxygen Hub Interim CEO Herma Gebru, Africa has always had a shortage of medical oxygen even before Covid-19 pandemic struck.

"The need for Medical Oxygen will continue post Covid, only about 40 percent of the demand is being met. We are therefore looking at poor capital consumption of Oxygen before and after Covid-19. This shortage will continue to persist and that is the need we are trying to address," Gebru said.

Oxygen Hub has 10 plants across Kenya, Ethiopia and Nigeria with a major goal of expanding medical oxygen production and developing long term sustainable infrastructure.

Topcare also addresses other healthcare needs with facilities such as Topcare Nursing home in Kitengela or Topcare medical center in Subukia.