- Ekuma explained that the partnership aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s healthcare reforms under the Nigeria Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative
The Ebonyi State government has secured the services of the National Emergency Medical Service and Ambulance System (NEMSAS) and the Rural Emergency Services Medical Ambulance Transport (RESMAT) to enhance emergency healthcare delivery in the state.
This was revealed by the State Commissioner for Health, Dr Moses Ekuma, during a press briefing in Abakaliki on Monday.
Ekuma explained that the partnership aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s healthcare reforms under the Nigeria Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative.
Highlighting the objectives, Ekuma said the initiative aims to address transportation challenges faced by pregnant women, women in labour, and children under five in rural areas. These groups will be transported to health facilities for free and provided with complimentary treatment within the first 24 hours of arrival.
“The objective is to reduce secondary delays, such as transportation delays to health facilities, which significantly contribute to maternal and under-five mortality,” Ekuma stated.
He further noted that Ebonyi is the only state in the South East currently enrolled in the RESMAT programme, which underscores the state’s commitment to improving healthcare access.
Dr Emuren Doubra, Head of Operations at NEMSAS, who led a delegation to the commissioner at the State Health Complex in Abakaliki, reiterated that the programme is designed to provide critical maternal and child health services to rural and underserved populations.
The federal government, under President Tinubu, has also promised to deploy tricycles and other transportation means to facilitate emergency medical responses across 15 states, including Ebonyi.