The Federal Government has launched an emergency call centre and ambulance service designed to provide rapid and efficient medical response to residents of Cross River State during emergencies such as flooding, fire outbreaks, road accidents and other life-threatening situations.
The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Muhammad Pate, was represented by Dr. Doubra Emuren, Programmes Manager of the National Emergency Medical Service and Ambulance System (NEMSAS), at the flag-off ceremony held on Tuesday at the General Hospital, Calabar.
During the unveiling, Emuren said the programme aims to ensure that Nigerians, particularly the poor and vulnerable, have access to timely pre-hospital care and ambulance transport services.
He explained that the initiative forms part of the Emergency Medical Treatment Gateway under the Basic Healthcare Provision Fund, created through the National Health Act.
“The Emergency Medical Treatment Gateway is one of the gateways within the Basic Healthcare Provision Fund under the National Health Act that ensures that no individual, poor or vulnerable, has to die as a result of lack of funding during emergencies,” Emuren said.
He added that the initiative follows the directive of Prof. Pate to ensure that all states build functional emergency medical service structures.
“We are here to formally engage and onboard the Cross River State Emergency Medical Treatment Committee as the first step in establishing emergency medical service management and operational structures for Cross River State,” he said.
Emuren stressed that the project aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda for Health and the Nigerian Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative.
“This will allow anyone who requests an ambulance using a dedicated number to be picked up and transported to a ready hospital, regardless of financial status,” he added.
The Technical Adviser to the Cross River State Governor on Universal Health Coverage, Dr. David Ushie, said the intervention aims to provide uninterrupted access to life-saving emergency care and aligns with Governor Bassey Otu’s People-First Agenda.
“A call centre has been established to address healthcare-related complaints and concerns, ensuring prompt responses and quality care. The centre is equipped with broadband internet, 24-hour power supply and trained staff,” Ushie said.
He noted that the state has introduced an emergency ambulance service starting with five ambulances, with plans to integrate both private and public ambulance operators.
Ushie emphasised that the Otu administration is committed to ensuring no resident is left to die from lack of medical attention, stressing that emergency services will be accessible to all, regardless of financial status or location.
The Director-General of the Cross River State Health Insurance Agency, Chief Godwin Iyala, welcomed the launch, saying it would drastically improve access to emergency medical care across the state.
He described the Emergency Medical Treatment Gateway as “exciting and a welcome development,” adding that it is expected to address long-standing healthcare challenges, especially in emergency response.
The Federal Government said the system will be scaled nationwide as part of ongoing efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s emergency health infrastructure.
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