The emergency medical and ambulance system is a crucial aspect of a country’s healthcare system. It helps ensure a rapid and appropriate response to medical emergencies, which can save lives and improve the health and well-being of residents. This is why it is encouraging to see that Ogun State in Nigeria recently launched a partnership with the National Emergency Medical Service and Ambulance System (NEMSAS) to strengthen its own emergency medical and ambulance system.
Health Commissioner Dr. Tomi Coker highlighted the importance of this partnership in reducing maternal mortality and improving the longevity of the state’s residents. Improving maternal and child health is an important priority on the agenda of the Minister of Health and Social Welfare. This partnership will help achieve this goal by ensuring an effective emergency response.
Ogun State is bisected by two of the busiest roads in the country, the Lagos-Ibadan and Ijebu-Benin expressway. Due to their geographic location, it is crucial to have an efficient emergency medical and ambulance system to meet the needs of residents and visitors. Governor Dapo Abiodun expressed his willingness to fully support this project to improve the health of the people of the state.
This partnership will enable Ogun State to respond to emergencies within 48 hours, in line with international standards. It will also allow the purchase of new ambulances and the training of responders to guarantee quality critical care during the first crucial hours after a medical emergency.
The Health Commissioner stressed the need to set up an agency for ambulance and emergency medical services in the state. She stressed that this would allow more effective coordination and better management of the resources necessary to meet the needs of the population.
In addition to strengthening the emergency medical and ambulance system, this partnership with NEMSAS will enable Ogun State to benefit from the Basic Healthcare Provisions Fund, which is intended to improve the accessibility and quality of healthcare basic.
In conclusion, the partnership between Ogun State and the National Emergency Medical Service and Ambulance System is an important step towards improving emergency medical and ambulance services in the state. This will save lives, improve maternal and child health and strengthen the health system as a whole. This is a promising initiative that deserves to be supported and further developed.