Ondo State Government has equipped the state’s health sector with new ambulances for use statewide in tackling medical emergencies.
It believes that the move would enhance the overall efficiency of healthcare delivery system and strengthen pre-hospital care.
While flagging off the State Emergency Medical Services and Ambulance System in Akure on Wednesday, Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa said the initiative was borne out of his administration’s desire to change the narrative of healthcare delivery system in the state.
Speaking through his deputy, Olayide Adelami, the governor stressed the significance of the scheme, saying victims in emergency situations will receive timely help with the introduction of the ambulance system.
A statement by the Deputy Governor’s spokesman, John Paul Akinduro, quoted him saying, “Medical emergencies such as road traffic accidents, medical crisis, obstetric complications and other life-threatening situations are daily occurrence in our society and since these are unforeseen incidents, many valuable lives are being lost on daily basis due to non-availability of timely help.
“In line with “OUR EASE” development agenda, our administration has resolved to tackle these challenges, ensuring that lives of the good people of the State, regardless of status, rich or poor, are henceforth preserved from preventable death from any medical emergency”
The governor said the cost of transportation to health facilities and treatment of any medical emergency for the first 48 hours will be borne by the government through the National Emergency Medical Services and Ambulance System under the Federal Ministry of Health. He also disclosed that a functional 24 hours call centre has been put in place.
His words,”As part of our commitment to the survival and well-being of our people, the State Emergency Call Center has been re-activated with the installation of multi-million naira gadgets for timely communication of emergencies.
“This is a functional 24/7 call and dispatch center where calls will be received for prompt dispatch of ambulance for rescue. Equally, over 100 frontline emergency responders had been trained in readiness for effective handling of medical emergencies and the training will be a continuous one for further exposure of our personnel to modern techniques of emergency treatment.”
He commended the National Emergency Medical Services and Ambulance System of the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, private hospital operators and ambulance owners for partnering with the state government towards achieving an efficient healthcare delivery system.
In her address, the Director General of the National Emergency Medical Services and Ambulance System, Hajia Fatima Ciroma said the scheme will help reduce the burden on hospitals as patients who need medical emergencies have a higher chances of receiving care before arriving at the hospital.
She noted that the program is equipped with a fleet of different categories of ambulances such as Basic life support ambulances, Advanced life support ambulances, Tricyle (KEKE) ambulances and highly skilled medical personnel to handing medical emergencies, ranging from road accidents, domestic accidents, medical, obstetrics and other related conditions.
Ciroma also highlighted the introduction of an effective communication technique which will create a seamless coordination between health care facilities, hospitals, emergency responders, and ambulance medical personnel for timely intervention.
Remarking, Ondo State Commandant of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Samuel Ibitoye, hailed the initiative as a key component of road safety management.
Ibitoye applauded the governor for onboarding the state into the National Emergency Medical Services and Ambulance System and for bringing the glory of the Ondo State Emergency Medical Services Agency (ODEMSA), which used to be a reference point in emergency medical services.
