FG Launches NEMSAS in Benue as State Rolls Out SEMSAS

The Federal Government has onboarded Benue State into the National Emergency Medical Services and Ambulance System (NEMSAS), as the state simultaneously rolls out its State Emergency Medical Services and Ambulance System (SEMSAS) to strengthen emergency response and save lives.

The initiative was launched in Makurdi during a two-day stakeholders’ sensitisation and onboarding programme organized by the Benue State Ministry of Health and Human Services.

Speaking at the event, the Commissioner for Health and Human Services, Dr. Paul Ogwuche, described the programme as a major step towards ensuring that no Benue citizen loses a life because emergency care could not arrive on time.

Dr. Ogwuche said the initiative was particularly significant for Benue, given its large rural population, difficult terrain and long distances between some communities and referral centres.

He said NEMSAS aligns with the health agenda of Governor Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia, which prioritizes the strengthening of primary healthcare, improved access to quality health services and the reduction of preventable deaths.

The Commissioner stressed that NEMSAS goes beyond the provision of ambulances, describing it as a coordinated emergency-care system involving emergency communication, trained responders, transportation, receiving facilities and referral coordination.

He said Benue would prioritize maternal and child emergencies and extend emergency services to rural communities, while strengthening collaboration among government, health facilities, private ambulance operators, development partners, security agencies and communities.

According to him, the ultimate measure of success would be faster response, timely treatment and lives saved, particularly among pregnant women, children, trauma victims and other vulnerable citizens.

Dr. Ogwuche reaffirmed the state’s readiness to work with the Federal Government and partners to build an emergency response system where help is closer, response is faster, care is coordinated and lives are saved.

Giving an overview of NEMSAS, the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare representative, Timothy Cosmos, commended Benue for embracing the initiative.

Cosmos disclosed that NEMSAS had achieved about 99 per cent activation nationwide, with Imo State remaining the only state yet to key into the programme at the time of the engagement.

He explained that NEMSAS provides up to 48 hours of treatment for vulnerable patients brought through the ambulance system to participating health facilities, covering emergencies such as fire incidents, gunshot injuries, communal clashes and building collapses.

He also urged the Benue State Government to encourage private ambulance operators to participate in the scheme.

The Director of Medical Services in the State Ministry of Health and Coordinator of SEMSAS, Dr. Solomon Wombo, challenged stakeholders to take ownership of the programme and ensure its functionality and sustainability.

The Executive Secretary of the Benue State Primary Healthcare Board, Pharmacist Samuel Mbatsoron, and the World Health Organization representative in the state, Dr. Abdulkarim Mohammed, pledged their support for successful implementation.

NEMSAS provides the national framework for emergency medical and ambulance services, while SEMSAS will serve as Benue State’s mechanism for coordinating emergency response and linking communities, ambulances, primary healthcare centres, hospitals and referral facilities.