FG unveils rural emergency, maternal transportion service in Yobe

The Federal Government on Wednesday inaugurated the National Emergency Medical and Ambulance System (NEMASAS), a new initiative aimed at improving maternal health in Yobe rural areas.

Mr Ahmed Tijjani, a NEMASAS representative made this during a stakeholders’ engagement on Wednesday in Damaturu.

Tijjani said the programme is designed to address critical gaps in emergency medical services, particularly for pregnant women in rural communities.

He added that the programme, which targets 1.7 million pregnant women across 15 states, is set to be fully implemented by December 2025.

He also explained that the initiative would involve collaboration with various stakeholders, including National Union of Road Transport Workers and the Federal Road Safety Corps, to ensure timely and efficient transportation of pregnant women to healthcare facilities.

Mr Abdullahi Danchuwa, the Executive Secretary Yobe State Emergency Medical and Ambulance Services said the service is currently operational in eight local government areas.

He expressed the organisation’s aspiration to expand its reach to 13 local government areas within the state.

Danchuwa also revealed that the service had responded to over 1,000 emergency calls since its inception.

While acknowledging a cumulative death toll of 14, he emphasised the service’s impressive response rate of 95 per cent.

The Yobe Commissioner for Health, Dr Mohammed Gana, welcomed the federal government’s initiative, saying it aligned with the state government’s efforts to provide universal healthcare coverage.

He emphasised that the programme would help to reduce maternal mortality rates in the state.