COVID-19: SON warns plant owners, dealers on inaccurate dispensing of medical gases

Mallam Farouk (middle) in the company of SON officials during a recent seizure in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

As the second wave of COVID-19 is ravaging Nigeria and the rest of the world, the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) has warned gas plants across the country to ensure accurate volume in the sale of oxygen and other medical gases to customers as a matter of responsibility.

Health institutions and professionals were also admonished to carefully and regularly check the pressure of oxygen and other medical gas cylinders for strict compliance with labelled specifications.

The Director-General of SON Mallam Farouk Salim gave the warning in a statement from his office following the public on recent complaints received on under-dispensing of oxygen and other medical gases by plant owners in some parts of the country.

Mallam Farouk Salim described Oxygen as a critical product in the treatment of respiratory ailments in emergency situations, particularly in the management of the COVID-19 pandemic, stressing that its use by certified medical personnel is strictly in recommended volumes and dosages for effectiveness in treatment.

According to the SON Chief Executive, the inadequacy in volume and dosage of oxygen and other medical gases has been reported to have consequences on the treatment of patients in the country resulting in the loss of lives in some cases.

He disclosed that SON offices across the 36 states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory have been directed to ensure close monitoring and strict compliance with standards of volume in the sale of oxygen and other medical gases to customers by gas plants 

The SON Director-General warned that any gas plant or dealer found to be under-dispensing oxygen or other medical gases would be made to face the full weight of the law as enshrined in the SON Act No. 14 of 2015.

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