… Edo has robust emergency communication infrastructure, says NEMSAS’ rep
EDWARD OSEGHE
The Edo State Emergency Medical Service (EdoEMS) is set to be integrated into the National Emergency Medical Services and Ambulance System (NEMSAS), following an assessment visit by the NEMSAS team to the state.
The Honourable Commissioner for Health, Dr. Cyril Adams Oshiomhole, disclosed this during a press conference in Benin City after the team’s visit to the Edo State Ministry of Health on Friday.
According to Dr. Oshiomhole, the visit, mandated by the Honourable Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Muhammad Ali Pate, is part of a nationwide initiative to assess the preparedness of states for inclusion in the NEMSAS programme – a transformative intervention aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s emergency medical response system.
The NEMSAS team inspected key facilities in Edo State, including the Edo Specialist Hospital, private hospitals, and various dispatch and communication centres.
“Their mission is clear: to assess our infrastructure, human resource capacity, coordination mechanisms, and overall readiness to commence pilot emergency medical services under the NEMSAS framework,” Dr. Oshiomhole said.
He noted that Edo State has made significant investments to strengthen its health system, improve referral protocols, and expand ambulance coverage across major zones. Efforts are also ongoing to harmonise emergency numbers and communication channels in line with national standards.
“We believe that once final approval is given, Edo State will be well-positioned to launch a pilot operation that could serve as a model for the rest of the country,” he added.
Dr. Oshiomhole reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to building an efficient, accountable, and rapid response system that ensures timely care from the point of incident to designated health facilities. He thanked the Honourable Minister for the initiative and for considering Edo as a potential pilot state, and 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 stated.
He called on all stakeholders – public and private hospitals, health professionals, and emergency responders – to support the vision, noting that the success of NEMSAS in Edo would depend on collective commitment and coordination.
Earlier, Dr. Emuren Doubra, Head of Operations, NEMSAS, who led the team alongside EdoEMS officials to inspect some of the state’s emergency response assets, praised Edo State for its robust emergency communication infrastructure.
Also speaking, Dr. Saidu Ahmed, Director and National Programme Manager of NEMSAS and Senior Technical Assistant to the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, described the Ambulance Emergency Response System as a critical missing link in Nigeria’s healthcare delivery.
He explained that the NEMSAS scheme is designed to bridge this gap by providing the poor and vulnerable with free access to emergency medical services for the first two hours of care.
Dr. Ahmed commended the Edo State Commissioner for Health for his effective leadership and willingness to collaborate with the Federal Government to advance healthcare delivery in the state.
He assured that EdoEMS would be integrated into the NEMSAS roll-out plan to save lives, particularly those of women, children, and other vulnerable groups in critical emergencies.
