Monday Ajegena, Lafia
Krestnews com reports that Rural communities in Nasarawa State are to benefit from the Federal Government (FG) emergency medical intervention, aimed at providing critical healthcare services to rural areas.
The Rural Emergency Service and Maternal Transport (RESMAT) Programme was a sub-set of the National Emergency Medical Services and Ambulance System (NEMSAS) approved by Prof. Muhammad Ali-Pate, Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare.
Dr. Umar Apeshi, Nasarawa State Chairman of NEMSAS, stated this during an advocacy visit on Dr. Emmanuel Akabe, State Deputy Gov., on Thursday in Lafia.
According to the leader of the implementing team in the state, the collaboration was part of the NEMSAS initiative aimed to improve healthcare access for pregnant women and children as well as another surgical emergency in rural areas.
“This initiative is expected to reduce maternal and under-five mortality rates by providing timely and affordable healthcare services.
“The programme will provide emergency medical services and transportation to pregnant women, neonates and children under the the age five years in hard-to-reach areas of the state.
“It is also expanded to cover both medical and surgical emergencies that may occur in all ages and genders.
“The Federal Government has committed to providing the necessary resources and support to ensure the success of the programme,” he said.
He highlighted that the state government would not pay counterpart funds, and the treatment and other services would be free of charge.
Apeshi further said that the federal government would upgrade and equip some secondary and primary health facilities and upgrade and purchase new ambulances to ensure the smooth running of the program.
He, therefore, appealed to the state government to provide the team with a well-furnished office and set up a command center that would coordinate and monitor the proper implementation of the program.
On his part, Dr John Damina, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health said that three medical facilities in each of the 147 electoral wards in the state would be used for the implementation of the programme.
The Permanent Secretary added that members of the committee were carefully selected because of their critical roles in the health sector.
Damina added that the ministry would do everything possible to ensure that the programme succeed.
Responding, Akabe appreciated the federal government for the intervention and pledged the commitment of the state government to support the initiative given the importance of improving healthcare access for rural communities.
Akabe said that the state government would provide an office for the team and establish a command center at the Ministry of Health as requested.
The implementation team comprised of all heads of health agencies in the state, Red Cross Society, Nigeria Union of Journalists, among others. (www.krestnews.com).