NEMSAS Team Tours Key Health Facilities in Edo, As EMS Set To Be Onboarded Into Scheme

…Says Edo have a very robust emergency communication structure

By Simeon OSAJIE

As part of a national strategic effort to assess the readiness of states to be onboarded into the National Emergency Medical Services and Ambulance System (NEMSAS) initiative, a team sent by the Honourable Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Muhammad Ali Pate, has visited Edo to assess key health facilities in the state.

Speaking at a joint press briefing at the conference hall of the Ministry of Health, Benin, Edo State capital, the Head of Operations, Dr. Emuren Doubra, who led his team alongside EdoEMS team on inspection of some of the state’s emergency response assets, praised Edo State for putting in place a very robust emergency communication structure and is ready to be onboarded into the NEMSAS scheme.

On his part, the Director/National Program Manager, NEMSAS and Senior Technical Assistant to the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Saidu Ahmed, disclosed that the Ambulance Emergency Response System is a missing link that is so obvious in the country, noting that the Federal Government’s NEMSAS concept aims to address the gap, whereby the poor and the vulnerable will have access to medical services for the first two at no cost to them.

Dr. Ahmed appreciated Edo State Commissioner for Health for demonstrating effective and efficient leadership persuading the Federal Government and NEMSAS team for collaboration in moving the state’s health sector to greater height.

He assured Dr. Oshiomhole that EdoEMS will be onboarded with the desired roll out plans to save the lives of the poor and the vulnerable especially the women and the children and other critical relevant emergencies.

Speaking, Dr. Cyril Adams Oshiomhole, Hon. Commissioner for Health, said that the state’s Emergency Medical Service (EdoEMS) is ready to be onboarded into the National Emergency Medical Services and Ambulance System (NEMSAS) initiative.

According to Dr. Oshiomhole, “The visit of the NEMSAS team, which began earlier in the week, is part of a national strategic effort to assess the readiness of states to be integrated into the NEMSAS plan.

“The drive is a transformative program designed to strengthen Nigeria’s emergency medical response architecture and save lives.

“During the visit, the NEMSAS team toured key health facilities in Edo State, including the Edo Specialist Hospital, several private hospitals, and relevant dispatch and communication sites.”

Going further, the Honourable Commissioner for Health said: “Their mission is clear: to assess our current infrastructure, human resource capacity, coordination mechanisms, and overall readiness to commence a pilot emergency medical service operation under the NEMSAS framework.”

He added that Edo State has made critical investments in its health system, improved referral protocols, expanded ambulance coverage in key zones, and are currently harmonizing emergency numbers and communication channels in alignment with national standards.

“We believe that once the final approval is given by the NEMSAS team, Edo State will be well-positioned to launch a pilot operation that will serve as a model for the rest of the country,” he added.

He further stated that the state is committed to creating an efficient, accountable, and rapid response system that ensures timely care from the point of incident to the appropriate health facility.

He thanked the Honourable Minister for the visionary initiative and for selecting Edo as a potential pilot state. He also commended the visiting NEMSAS technical team for their professionalism and constructive feedback.

“To the people of Edo State: help is on the way. Soon, with the support of the Federal Government and our dedicated health workers, you will have access to a responsive emergency medical system that is swift, lifesaving, and dependable,” he stressed.

Dr. Oshiomhole urge all stakeholders, public and private hospitals, health professionals, and emergency responders, to key into this vision.

“The success of NEMSAS in Edo will depend on our collective effort, coordination, and commitment,” he added.