The Federal Government will begin the pilot phase of the emergency ambulance services in Nigeria on Friday in Abuja.
Dr Felix Ogedegbe, Chairman, National Emergency Medical Treatment Committee (NEMTC), made the announcement on Wednesday.
He recalled that the National Emergency Medical Service and Ambulance System (NEMSAS) committee was inaugurated four years ago.
The service will provide access to first aid and healthcare in life-threatening situations.
Nigerians in need of emergency medical care are to call a three digit number 122 to make a report.
”The services will come to the aid of citizens whenever they need urgent emergency care,” NAN quoted Ogedegbe saying.
The official noted that the goal is to have NEMSAS become one of the established health entities that provide care in the country.
Trials have been carried out in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). The calls go to the communication centre then the medical dispatch system which contacts an ambulance.
“People who are at the risk of death or disability do not have to pay at the point of need. They have the ability to call on the ambulance.
“We hope that lessons from the pilot phase will be used to then rollout in the rest of the country”, Ogedegbe added.