During the pandemic, Pakistan witnessed a massive number of confirmed COVID-19 affected cases between February 2020 and January 2022. As a result, the public health system struggled to function and meeting the demand of oxygen became a critical challenge. The Common Management Unit (CMU) of the Ministry of Health, approached UNDP to support the procurement and installation of 36 oxygen generation PSA plants across the country, funded by the Global Fund for AIDS, TB and Malaria. The project covered site assessments, procurements, delivery, installation, training, and maintenance. These oxygen generation plants aim to enhance the capacity of public hospitals to cope with the demand for high purity oxygen.  

Speaking at the inauguration, the Minister of Health, Balochistan, Mr. Sardar Faisal Khan Jamali stated that the PSA Plant is a promising step towards improving health sector service delivery in Balochistan and forms a critical component of the Government’s ongoing efforts to improve medical facilities in the province. He praised the Government of Pakistan’s partnership with UNDP as a successful model of international development cooperation and commended staff from both institutions for introducing cutting-edge and internationally tested technologies to improve health services in Balochistan.