It has been projected that by the end of 2025, not fewer than a total of 1,700,000 pregnant women dwelling in rural areas across 15 selected states across the country would have been reach by the Federal Government through its National Emergency Medical and Ambulance System (NEMSAS) implemented rural emergency and maternal transportation services.
The disclosure was made by Dr Saidu Ahmed Dumbulwa, the National Programme Manager, NEMSAS, in Damaturu at stakeholders’ engagement ahead of the implementation of the project in Yobe State.
Represented by Ahmed Lawan-Tijjani, a NEMSAS Resource Person, the National Programme Manager of NEMSAS explained that the exercise which is to be rolled out across 15 states of the Federation is geared towards demand-driven generation, behavioural change and strengthening governance.
He stressed the importance of the state government keying into the programme which will enhance whatever programme on the ground is aimed at promoting maternal health and checking morbidity rate.
The national programme manager of the NEMSAS explained the agency would provide rural emergency and maternal transportation services for 1,700,000 pregnant women by the end of December 2025.
According to him, “The state government already has Yobe State Emergency Medical and Ambulance Services, so now, we are looking at how we will collaborate to avert the delays in providing health emergencies to improve the indices of the state.
“The target is that by the end of December 2025, we will be able to reached 1,700,000 pregnant women rural dwellers in 15 states of the federation.”
In his remarks, Yobe State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Mohammed Lawan Gana revealed that the move by the Federal Government will complement the giant strides of the Governor, Hon Mai Mala Buni in his quest to provide Universal Healthcare coverage in the state.
The Commissioner stressed that, “With the coming of this project, it’s going to further complement what the Yobe state government is doing in providing health emergencies. We have a lot of gabs, so we believe with this initiative it’s going to minimise it.”
The exercise will also partner, with the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NUTRW) and the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) among other relevant agencies to ensure the lives of pregnant mothers are protected against maternal deaths, especially in rural areas.
In his welcome remarks, the Executive Secretary, of Yobe State Emergency Medical and Ambulance Services, Abdullahi Danchuwa said that the Agency is currently operating in 8 local government areas and hope to expand their horizon within 13 LGAs of the state.
According to him, “We have responded to over 1,000 lives since inception to date with 14 deaths, cumulative, we have responded to 95 percent incidences. Currently, we are operating in 8 LGAs but are hopeful of expanding our horizons across 13 LGAs of the state.”
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