Gombe State offers 48hrs of free emergency treatment

The Gombe State Government has officially launched its State Emergency Medical Services and Ambulance Scheme (SEMSAS) offering residents 48 hours of free medical treatment for all emergency cases, eliminating financial barriers to urgent care.

The scheme was formally inaugurated in Gombe by the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Habu Dahiru, who emphasized its role in strengthening emergency healthcare delivery and ensuring that no resident is denied critical medical attention.

Dr. Dahiru explained that Gombe SEMSAS was integrated in 2024 under the national framework, the National Emergency Medical Services and Ambulance Scheme (NEMSAS), and has since made considerable progress in coordinating emergency care.

The state is also implementing the Rural Emergency Services and Maternal Transport (RESMAT) initiative, which provides free transportation for pregnant women in rural areas to the nearest health facilities, addressing a major cause of maternal mortality.

While the dedicated state emergency hotline "112" is currently being finalized, residents can immediately report emergencies through the GoHealth 24/7 Call Centre.

The Project Coordinator of SEMSAS, Dr. Suraj Kwami, confirmed that this call centre will coordinate all emergency calls and dispatch the appropriate response teams.

Dr. Kwami also cautioned all emergency drivers and personnel to maintain the highest levels of professionalism, stressing that official vehicles must be used strictly for service delivery.

Community leaders and health stakeholders lauded Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya for what they described as a landmark initiative. They noted that the scheme effectively bridges the gap between rapid emergency response and hospital care, particularly benefiting citizens in rural and low-income communities.

The launch event was attended by the Chief of Staff to the Governor and several other senior government officials, signaling the high-level commitment to the success of the new scheme.