By Suzan Edeh
The Bauchi State has expressed readiness to implement the World Bank assisted Rural Emergency Services and Maternal Transport (RESMAT) Programme anchored by the National Emergency Service and Ambulance System (NEMSAS).
The Rural Emergency Services and Maternal Transport is an initiative of National Emergency Medical Services and Ambulance System (NEMSAS) through Basic Health Care provision Fund to ensure the reduction in maternal, under five and newborn materiality in the country.
The State Commissioner of Health, Dr Sani Mohammed Dambam, speaking during a stakeholders meeting at the Ministry of Health on Friday said that emergency medical services is a missing link which usually results in delay in seeking appropriate medium for transporting emergency to facilities for appropriate treatments.
He commended the administration of President Bola Tinubu for prioritizing the health of citizens in the country, stressing that the focus of the program is to improve the maternal health care to enable them reduce mortality in pregnant women, under five children and newborn in the state.
Represented by the Director, Medical Services of the Ministry, Dr Suleiman Aliyu, the Commissioner recalled that the Minister for Health and Social Welfare, Professor Ali Pate inaugurated, Emergency Medical Services and Ambulance System in the state, adding that the officials of NEMSAS were participants at the Stakeholders meeting to kick-start the process.
"We Sincerely appreciate the efforts of Mr. President and that of the Coordinating Minister, because this is by far one of the best interventions that is going to affect our rural populace.Anybody anywhere, who promised you that you are going to be giving free medical services, tell that person it is likely not going to be realistic. But with this system, it is actually going to be impactive.
"Wherever the accident victim is picked, be it medical or surgical or fatal accident to the point of care, to the next 48 hours, everything is going to be free. I don't think there's any period in the American term that is called the golden period rather than this.
"So, if somebody has taken over responsibility of the golden period, that is fantastic because if you are allowed to be there unattended to, you may end up dying, though, that is in the hand of God for surely, even if you did not die, you may end up with serious and life long consequences," he said.
The Head, Claims Management of NEMSAS, Nasir Nuhu Yakubu said that rural areas suffer disproportionately high rates of maternal mortality and face difficulties in accessing timely emergency medical interventions, pointing out that the gap is most pronounced in maternal and child health and emergency services.
"As part of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s drive in accelerating Nigeria towards achieving Universal Health Coverage through last mile access to quality healthcare, this vision is envisaged to be actualized through a Sector Wide Approach Programme (SWAP) themed Nigeria Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiatives championed by the Coordinating Minister of Health; Prof Muhammad Ali Pate.
"This system is designed to provide 24/7 Medical Emergency Services to citizens who need it, anywhere in the state at no cost to the patient for the first 48 hours with a fleet of different categories of Ambulances, such as Advanced Life Support (ALS), Basic Life Support (BLS) Ambulances and Tricycle (Keke) Ambulance from Public and Private Sector."
"The Programme is to be domesticated at state level as State Emergency Medical Service and Ambulance System (SEMSAS) headed by a Chairman. The NEMSAS will roll out Ambulance Services and Emergency Treatment throughout the country in phases, F.C.T, Anambra, Yobe and Osun States have rolled out and commenced Operations" he said.
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