NEMSAS Moves To Tackle Child/Maternal Mortality In Nigeria ..... Introduces Ambulance Transport Services

"As stakeholders, it is vital that we collaborate around the health challenges we face, in a shared spirit of solidarity and partnership. This will ensure health security for our population, which is key to health improvement and a fundamental pillar of the Nigerian Health sector's agenda." Dr. Dambulwa, National Programme Manager NEMSAS.

The 774 local governments councils across the 36 states of the Federation including the Federal Capital Territory, FCT Abuja is set to experience a tremendous boost as it relates to medical services, particularly concerning child/maternal mortality in the health sector. 

In actualizing this noble and commendable drive, the National Emergency Medical Services and Ambulance System (NEMSAS) is keen on keying into the Renewed Hope Agenda of the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's administration.

During its press briefing/stakeholders meeting and alignment on Monday, 05th January, with the sector wide approach programme of the National Health Sector Renewal Investment Programme to implement Rural Ambulance and Medical Transport Service in Rural Communities in Nigeria, NEMSAS National Programme Manager, Dr. Saidu Ahmed Dumbulwa reiterated that, "Emergency care is an essential element of universal health coverage, responding to a range of acute conditions in children and adults, including injuries, infections, acute exacerbations of non-communicable diseases, and complications of pregnancy."   

According to Dr Dambulwa, "It is apt at this time to be here, as a testament to the power of collective ambition and commitment to addressing the missing link "medical emergency services" in the Nigeria health sector, through an innovative and effective collective strategy between the public and private sector." 

He noted that, "As stakeholders, it is vital that we collaborate around the health challenges we face, in a shared spirit of solidarity and partnership. This will ensure health security for our population, which is key to health improvement and a fundamental pillar of the Nigerian Health sector's agenda. 

"Stakeholders collaboration saves lives. Looking ahead, we must consider how we can strengthen our efforts to impact more lives in a sustainable way. All inclusive of public and private sector for an effective and efficient Rural Emergency Medical Transport and Ambulance services." He said.

"This will serve as the bridge connecting stakeholders, when we unite under a shared vision, the ripple effect of such collaborations can be monumental with positive outcomes that translates to saving more lives.

"As you may be aware, Health is a priority of the FGN agenda and in line with the National Health Act of 2014 which states, that 5% of the Basic Health Care Provision Fund of the 1% Consolidated Revenue Fund, CRF shall be used for Emergency Medical Treatment. Pursuant to this provision, the National Emergency Medical Treatment Committee (NEMTC) approved a novel concept in national health service delivery constituted to address the missing link in the health sector known as National Emergency Medical Services and Ambulance System (NEMSAS). 

"Emergency care is an essential element of universal health coverage, responding to a range of acute conditions in children and adults, including injuries, infections, acute exacerbations of non-communicable diseases, and complications of pregnancy”. Every year in Nigeria we have about Nine million pregnancies with an estimated 9% developing complications mostly in the rural areas.  EMS thus involves a continuum of pre-hospital and in-hospital care and the linkages between these components, to ensure that emergency medical care is available when and where it is required, irrespective of ability to pay. Delay in service provision, most often due to payment, is the cause of many instances of permanent disability and death; on the spot payment is a very inefficient and mostly claims the lives of poor and down trodden Nigerians that cannot afford to transport themselves and pay for services at a point of care. The NEMSAS services provide services at a point of care within the first 48 hours at no cost to the patient.The Nigeria Health sector renewal investment programme of the FGN through the sector wide approach programme prioritise the Rural Ambulance and Maternal Transport," he stressed. 

This followed the fact that the burden of disease can potentially be addressed by prehospital and emergency care in rural settings and hard to reach areas, thereby reducing the maternal deaths occurring in Nigeria. Implementing prehospital and emergency care to address the main causes of morbidity and premature mortality in Nigeria would advance the frontiers of UHC and lead to better health outcomes.

The National Programme Manager of NEMSAS disclosed that, "the Rationale for Rural Ambulance and Transportation Services: Transportation barriers to healthcare are significant and have far-reaching implications regarding the health of the rural populations in Nigeria. The RESMAT will strengthen NEMSAS in the implementation of its overall vision for coordinating EMS systems by extending coverage to include the last mile in rural areas. 

"As NEMSAS began its operations in October, 2021 in FCT with Yobe and Anambra states respectively. Plateau and Bauchi states were equally granted approval to commence operations following assessment and onboarding. And before the end of the next quarter, we will roll out operations in Ekiti, Ogun, Osun, Ebonyi, Bayelsa, Kano and Sokoto states."

Speaking on Government's Response, Dr. Dambulwa noted that "the Government of Nigeria has undertaken various assessments for defining strategic needs and investment in Emergency medical services, with the intent of bringing pre-hospital care and In-hospital emergency care under one umbrella in a bid to ensure the most at risk populations are given medical emergency care and medical transport for pregnant women at no cost to the patients and clients.  

"NEMSAS is aligned to improving emergency care service delivery in Nigeria, NEMSAS is also implementing strategic partnerships with the FRSC for EMS services on Federal highways and adjoining rural communities; partnership with NCC for the provision of services for the communication infrastructure to deliver the toll-free 112 number to designated emergency call centers. 

"NEMSAS has also brought onboard, the private sector providers; Private Hospital services and Private ambulance service providers to ensure sustainability of the programme in a way of unlocking private sector potential as a government owned programme driven by private sector to save live and create jobs.

Emphasizing on the commitment of NEMSAS towards actualizing its purposes, Dr. Saidu Ahmed Dambulwa said; " NEMSAS is aligning to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's Renewed Hope Agenda for the Health Sector/National Health Renewal Investment Programme in line with the sector wide approach Programme to implement Rural Ambulance and Maternal and Maternal Transport Service in Nigeria.

Speaking at the press briefing and stakeholders meeting, Dr. Sani Abdullahi, representative of the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) disclosed that "the statistics of abysmal maternal mortality are quite disturbing."

He added that, "with rural emergency services and maternal transport measures will be taken to help to alleviate and reduce these statistics of Nigerians despite their locations should not be discriminated against."

In his address, Chairman of National Private Sector Ambulance Network, Mr. Chris Obodozie, revealed that their services are in 22 states of the country, with over 82 ambulances, added that the aim of NPSAN is to provide effective and efficient medical services across the country.

Dr. Aishatu Bajoga, representative of Basic Health Care Provision Fund (BHCPF) said the ministerial oversight Committee of the BHCPF commended the good work of NEMSAS, adding that in some states they have evidence of reports received from the communities.

Head of Operations of NEMSAS on Rural Emergency Service and Maternal Transport (RESMaT), Dr. Emuren D Pere, took participant "the Preamble, Major Factors of Maternal Mortality in Nigeria, Delay in receiving quality healthcare, Goals of RESMaT, Component and Objective, among others.