The Plateau chapter of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) has appealed to the government to expeditiously launch the Plateau State Emergency Medical Services and Ambulance System (PLASEMSAS).

Bapiga’an Audu, the Plateau NMA chairman, made the appeal in a statement on Friday in Jos.

Mr Audu said that with Plateau coming on board for the national emergency medical response platform, it was imperative to launch PLASEMSAS.

He noted that a properly manned and well-equipped emergency medical response system would reduce deaths and morbidities associated with the recent attacks and provide care for injured security operatives and other first responders.

Mr Audu further appealed to the government to address the issue of the chronic shortage of the requisite skilled health workforce in the state (particularly in rural areas).

The NMA chairman condemned the recent wave of killings in Bokkos, Barkin Ladi and Mangu local government areas (LGAs) since the Christmas Eve attacks.

He called for the fortification of the State Joint Task Force (Operation Rainbow) and the necessary tools to enable them to effectively respond to the attacks and nip in the bud any attempted plan to wreak havoc on citizens.

“The security agencies need to do more in terms of increasing the available manpower and also in the deployment of modern technological innovations in intelligence gathering for the neutralisation of security threats.

“Restructuring the security framework across the country has now become a necessity.

“We also add our voice to the clamour for the establishment of the state police, which will, amongst others, provide the state’s chief security officer with the much-needed power to direct appropriate security responses,” Mr Audu said.

The NMA chairman said the association would not relent in contributing its quota towards ensuring efficient and effective healthcare service delivery and promoting peaceful coexistence in the state. 

(NAN)