Kaduna inaugurates emergency medical system
The Kaduna State Government has inaugurated a comprehensive emergency medical service, reaffirming its commitment to universal health coverage and ensuring timely care across both urban and rural communities.
Gov. Uba Sani, who inaugurated the system on Thursday in Kaduna, described it as a bold commitment to saving lives in emergencies, including childbirth, accidents, surgeries, and other medical crises.
He said the initiative comprised the Kaduna State Emergency Medical Service and Ambulance System (KADSEMSAS) and the Rural Emergency Services and Maternal Transport (RESMAT).
“These services are designed to strengthen Kaduna’s emergency response system and reduce avoidable deaths,” the governor said at the flag-off ceremony.
He emphasised that effective emergency response was often what determined survival and KADSEMSAS had been strategically designed to meet that urgent need.
“The system features rapid response ambulance stations across Kaduna, a 24-hour emergency call and dispatch centre, and teams of trained medical professionals on standby.”
Sani stressed that the initiative was inclusive, covering remote villages and rural communities, not just urban centres in the state.
“KADSEMSAS ensures rural ambulances and medical teams are accessible, making emergency care a right, not a privilege, for every Kaduna citizen,” he added.
He reiterated that healthcare delivery had remained central to his administration’s governance and development priorities since assuming office.
“Health is not a luxury, it’s a fundamental right. A healthy population is the foundation for any meaningful development,” he said.
He explained that every policy, reform, and budget allocation in the sector had been driven by the need to ensure equitable access and protection from catastrophic health expenses.
Sani also cited reforms like expanded health insurance for vulnerable groups, healthcare waste management, and revitalised primary health centres under the One Roof policy.
He reaffirmed his commitment to maternal, newborn, and child health, highlighting efforts in safe delivery, immunisation, and family planning as part of long-term health improvement goals.
Kaduna State Commissioner for Health, Umma Kaltum-Ahmed, hailed the launch as a landmark moment that could save thousands of lives across the state.
She described the emergency system as a life-saving intervention that integrated RESMAT to ensure swift and professional medical care during emergencies.
“Today is more than a launch; it signals that Kaduna values every life. We are linking communities directly to skilled emergency care,” she said.
Kaltum-Ahmed called the launch a giant leap forward in ensuring timely and life-saving medical support, especially for the most vulnerable populations.
She noted that emergencies, whether medical, surgical, obstetric, or accidental, often struck without warning and said they required a swift, coordinated, and skilled response.
“With KADSEMSAS, we are ensuring that no citizen is abandoned during critical emergencies,” she stated.
She further highlighted that integrating maternal transport and rural services into the system expanded coverage and pushed Kaduna closer to universal healthcare.
The commissioner appreciated the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare for including Kaduna in the National Emergency Medical Service and Ambulance System (NEMSAS) for 2024.
She also thanked development partners, including the International Society of Media in Public Health (ISMPH), for their support and collaboration.
“This partnership reflects our alignment with national priorities while adapting to state-specific healthcare needs,” she noted.
Kaltum-Ahmed also stated that the initiative aligned with global health goals, especially maternal and neonatal emergency targets in underserved areas.
She added, “KADSEMSAS supports the Basic Health Care Provision Fund and World Bank’s push for universal health coverage and health system resilience through innovation.”