The Federal Government has begun the nationwide distribution of Advanced Life Support (ALS) ambulances and tricycle ambulances to strengthen emergency medical response and improve access to timely healthcare, particularly in rural and underserved communities.

The Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Daju Kachollom, disclosed this at the national flag-off ceremony held at the National Trauma Centre, Riyom, Plateau State.

Kachollom explained that the intervention was designed to address emergency transportation and last-mile healthcare challenges in hard-to-reach communities, stressing that delays in accessing emergency care could determine whether a life was saved.

She said the initiative was anchored on the principle that “distance should not determine whether a life is saved,” particularly in cases involving maternal and newborn emergencies, childhood illnesses, road crashes and other trauma.

Kachollom commended the state government for its cooperation and commitment to strengthening healthcare delivery in Plateau State.
According to her, the National Emergency Medical Service and Ambulance System (NEMSAS) provides the framework for coordinated emergency medical services across the country.

She noted that Plateau State already had complementary interventions, including the State Ambulance System, the Jos University Teaching Hospital (JUTH) emergency-care pathway and the Rural Emergency Service and Maternal Transport (RESMAT) initiative, which has been strengthened by the SAVEMAMA Digital RESMAT platform.

Kachollom urged state governments to take ownership of the vehicles and ensure their deployment to communities with the greatest need.

She stressed that the success of the programme would not be measured by the number of ambulances and tricycles distributed, but by the number of lives saved and preventable deaths and disabilities reduced.

Kachollom also announced the approval of Riyom General Hospital as an outpost of JUTH, following collaboration with the Plateau State Government.

Speaking at the event, Plateau State Governor, Caleb Mutfwang, represented by his Deputy, Josephine Piyo, commended the Federal Government for the intervention.

He described the ambulances as a strategic investment in emergency healthcare, noting that their deployment would help address the difficult terrain and accessibility challenges confronting underserved communities.

The governor said the intervention aligned with Plateau State’s healthcare priorities, including the state’s earlier procurement of five tricycle ambulances for the Maternal and Newborn Mortality Innovative Initiative in Jos East.

He assured the Federal Government that the ambulances would be properly deployed, responsibly utilised and adequately maintained for their intended purpose.

The Chief Medical Director of JUTH, Pokop Bupwatda, disclosed that only one maternal death had been recorded in Jos East Local Government Area in the last six months, while Riyom recorded no maternal mortality during the period.

He said the emergency transport initiative had so far facilitated the transportation of about 1,115 patients in Jos East Local Government Area and more than 900 patients in Riyom Local Government Area.

Bupwatda recalled that the state’s maternal mortality ratio was previously about 905 deaths per 100,000 live births but had now declined to approximately 500 per 100,000.

He expressed optimism that sustained interventions could further reduce the figure to about 100 deaths per 100,000 live births.