The Hon. Minister of State for Health, Dr.Osagie Ehanire has launched the National Policy on Emergency Medical Services (EMS) and National Guidelines for Ambulance Services which entails database development, information on capacity and capabilities including assets of all registered health facilities and agencies providing emergency services in the States and FCT.
Speaking at the launching in Abuja recently, Dr. Ehanire said that the Federal Ministry of Health had started the mapping of emergency medical facilities and resources along main highway corridors in the country, beginning with Abuja/Kaduna, Abuja/ Lokoja/Benin corridors.
He further said that gaps would be noted and closed for the purpose of providing seamless coverage for emergency services.
He added that Ambulances designated as Basic Life Support (BLS) or Advanced Life Support (ALS) and the BLS Ambulance were manned by personnel with basic training and were meant for first aids, rapid triage and casualty evacuation to health facilities.
He pointed out that the ALS Ambulance was manned by fully trained paramedic nurses or doctors to provide more advanced intervention on site and en route to health facilities.
The Minister noted that since projected number of manned ambulances for national coverage was large and available units presently limited, close collaboration of participating stakeholders for effective network would be needed as well as strategic deployment of units, “to use what we have to get what we want”, while inventory grows.
He emphasised the need for structured funding mechanism from source like dedicated budget line to start with, adding that it was vital because the economic loss from untreated emergencies could significantly affect GDP. He also said that the Nigeria’s Health Act foresaw it and provided that 5% of the National Basic Healthcare Fund be dedicated to the emergency services.
‘’ This fund will however be more of a seed money to which other sources of funds will need to be added’’
‘’This could include contributions from the following insurance commission ,national road fund, road taxes and tolls, the organised private transport sector, drivers’ unions, accident insurance schemes and sundry contributions from corporate social responsibility ’’ he said.
He informed that the Emergency Response System would utilize dedicated nationwide toll free numbers linked with the existing national call centres adding that the number had to be accessible from land and mobile systems.
‘’Communication should flow between the Road safety, EMS system, Trauma centres in receiving hospitals, Ambulance system, Police rescue, free services and local authorities ‘’ The Minister adviced.
Earlier in his welcome address, the Permanent Secretary, FMOH, Mr. Clement Uwaifo said the Emergency Medical systems were critical component of the national health system, adding that adequate attention to the EMS would ensure that the evolution of the EMS was both evidence based and appropriate to our national needs.
He further said that the content and implementation of EMS would help health equity and support Universal Health Coverage.
