NEMSAS: Revolutionizing Emergency Medical Services in Nigeria’s Rural Communities

The National Emergency Medical Services and Ambulances System (NEMSAS) is set to launch rural ambulance and transportation initiative in Nasarawa State.

The Head of the Claims Management Unit Nasiru Nuhu Yakubu, disclosed this during a one-day Stakeholders Engagement meeting held at the State Ministry for Health.

The National Emergency Medical Services and Ambulance Systems NEMSAS is an initiative, established by the Federal Government and supported by the World Bank, to address critical gaps in the health sector by improving access to emergency medical services.

According to the Head of Claims Management Unit Nasiru Nuhu Yakubu the primary focus is on providing timely emergency transportation for citizens, particularly pregnant women and children.

As part of president Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s drive in accelerating Nigeria towards achieving Universal Health Coverage through last mile access to quality health care. This vision is envisage to be actualize through a Sector Wide Approach Programme, SWAP.

A resource person from NEMSAS, Dr. Lawal Ahmadu said the project’s aims to localize and sustain emergency services and maternal transport at the state level, adding that the project will target over one million pregnant women across 15 states, including Nasarawa.

“This project will serve thirty communities in Nasarawa State and is supported by the World Bank. We are here to engage stakeholders, and the initiative will span three years,”.

The Nasarawa State Commissioner for Health, Doctor Gaza Gwamna represented by the Permanent Secretary Dr. John Damina assured of support for the initiative through representation saying the project is inline with Governor Abdullahi Sule’s administration’s commitment to enhancing healthcare services in the state.

“As a government, we fully support the national initiative and are ready to integrate our structure to align with this project,” Dr. Gwamna stated.

The state Commissioner of Health also noted that the state is committed to collaborating with road transport workers to facilitate the transport of pregnant women and children, to address the gaps that hinder timely access to hospitals.