Ogun State Government, through the Ministry of Health, has collaborated with the National Emergency Medical Service and Ambulance System (NEMSAS), to further strengthen the state's capacity for emergency medical response services.

Speaking during the onboarding of the state Emergency Medical Service and Ambulance System into NEMSAS in Abeokuta, Commissioner for Health, Dr. Tomi Coker, disclosed that the partnership would facilitate a steady decrease in maternal mortality and longevity of residents.

Dr. Coker noted that improving maternal and child health, which is one of the important tangents of the Coordinating Minister for Health's four-point agenda, would be possible where there is an effective emergency response, pointing out that it aligned with Governor Dapo Abiodun's goal of increasing the life expectancy of the people.

She said the initiative would enable the state respond to emergency issues within 48 hours and be funded by NEMSAS through the Ogun State Health Insurance Agency (OGSHIA), adding that the onboarding process would lead to expansion of fleet of ambulances in the state, capacity training of responders, to ensure that critical care needed in the first 48 hours meets international standard.

"We have two of the busiest expressways in the country which are the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway and the Ijebu-Benin Expressway. 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 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.

The Commissioner expressed optimism that her Ministry would continue to advocate for the creation of an agency for the ambulance and emergency services in the state, saying this would lead to more efficient coordination and resource management needed to meet the needs of the people.

Speaking, the Head of Operations, NEMSAS, Dr. Doubra Emuren, said the programme aimed at ensuring that necessary structures were in place for the state to benefit from Basic Healthcare Provisions Fund (BHCP).

He commended Governor Abiodun's stride in facilitating tricycle ambulances, to aid emergency medical services at the local level, assuring that NEMSAS would complement government’s efforts by establishing rural services and maternal transport programme, for effective healthcare delivery.