Church Donates State-of-the-Art Medical Oxygen Plant in Paraguay

An oxygen-generating medical plant was inaugurated at the Barrio Obrero General Hospital in Asunción, Paraguay — the nation’s capital. The state-of-the-art facility was made possible by a donation from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in partnership with local health officials.

Dr. Julio Cesar Borba, minister of health in Paraguay, expressed his gratitude for the Church's support in making the project a reality during an inauguration ceremony held in July. “Thank you to all the members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints for the invaluable donation you made to our country. We know this is a great sacrifice and for us it is a very important contribution.”

Construction for the plant began in December 2021. 

"During the pandemic, we were desirous to help our brothers and sisters in need, especially those who were sick. In speaking with the Ministry of Health, we learned about the possibility to donate an oxygen plant," said Elder Robert Rivarola, an Area Seventy of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Vice Minister of Health Lida Sosa highlighted the importance of the donation in saving lives. The oxygen plant will optimize the hospital's ability to treat patients with respiratory conditions, including COVID-19 patients.

Dr. Norma Velázquez, Director of the Barrio Obrero General Hospital, said the donation provides benefits on a national scale to a large number of patients across the country. The plant has the capacity to fully meet the oxygen needs of hospitalized and outpatient individuals.

The state-of-the-art plant delivers an oxygen purity of 95%–96% and has two production lines. This duplex system allows the hospital to have oxygen permanently, even when a line is temporarily stopped for maintenance. The plant has the additional capacity to load oxygen cylinders and has its own medium-voltage line and transformer. By also having its own electrical generator, the hospital will be able to provide critical oxygen without interruption, even in the event of a power outage.

The plant's modern technology allows all operating variables to be remotely monitored. Oxygen quality and pressure can be checked and faults identified to schedule maintenance. The equipment is of European manufacture and is oil-free, as recommended for this type of use.

This story was originally published in Spanish:

https://noticias.laiglesiadejesucristo.org/articulo/moderna-planta-generadora-de-oxigeno-comienza-en-funcionar-en-el-hospital-de-barrio-obrero