Ogun Ministry of Health has collaborated with the National Emergency Medical Service and Ambulance System (NEMSAS) to strengthen the state’s emergency medical response services capacity.

Health commissioner Tomi Coker stated this at the onboarding of the state Emergency Medical Service and Ambulance System into NEMSAS on Tuesday in Abeokuta.

She said the partnership would facilitate a steady decrease in maternal mortality and longevity of residents.

Ms Coker noted that improving maternal and child health, one of the important tangents of the health minister’s four-point agenda, would be possible if there was an effective emergency response.

This, according to her, also aligns with the Gov. Dapo Abiodun-led administration’s goal of increasing the life expectancy of people in Ogun.

The commissioner further stated that the initiative would enable the state to respond to emergency issues within 48 hours, just as NEMSAS would fund it through the Ogun State Health Insurance Agency (OGSHIA).

She said the onboarding process would lead to buying more ambulances in the state and capacity training of responders to ensure that the critical care needed in the first 48 hours met international standards.

“We have two of the busiest expressways in the country, which are Lagos-Ibadan and Ijebu-Benin. To get to Lagos from other parts of the country, you have to go through these highways.

“As a result, having an efficient emergency service and ambulance system in place is critical for us in Ogun, being the gateway state. The good news is that our governor cares a lot about things that concern the health of our people. So, there will always be political will right from the top,” she said.

Ms Coker said her ministry would continue to advocate for creating an agency for the ambulance and emergency services in the state.

This, according to her, will lead to more efficient coordination and enhancement of the resource management needed to meet the needs of the people.

(NAN)