Pulse.ng : KDSG domesticates emergency medical ambulance services

By Stella Kabruk

The Kaduna State Ministry of Health on Thursday domesticated emergency medical and ambulance services (KADSEMSAS) in the state.

The State Commissioner for Health, Umma Ahmed said medical treatment at point of need in emergencies along with ambulance transport were essential public services to the citizens of the state.

She said that such services were critical in addressing various life-threatening health conditions that occur in communities.

Ahmed said WHO at the 2019 World Health Assembly (WHA) succinctly reiterated that emergency care was an essential element of Universal Health Coverage.

According to the commissioner, it aids response to a range of acute conditions in children and adults including injuries, infections, acute exacerbation of non- communicable diseases and complications of pregnancy.

Ahmed said, “Today marks another giant step in our efforts to effectively deliver emergency medical services. medical treatment at the point of need in emergencies.

”These come along with ambulance transport, are essential to addressing various life-threatening health conditions that occur in communities.

”In line with meeting the SDGs and to continue expanding the Universal Health Coverage (UHC), Kaduna State, in her effort to improve health outcomes, set up KADSEMSAS.

”This is to address health system gaps due to lack of a structured response to citizens with injuries or health emergencies.”

According to her,the 2024 Implementation Manual (first edition) was developed to guide timely, effective, and efficient emergency medical service delivery at all levels of society, at no cost to the user at point of service.

“Ahmed said, ‘The guidelines will be the tool for positioning emergency medical care in the State and will serve as a valuable reference for operators in the Emergency Medical Service sector of the healthcare system.

“The programme manual is developed to guide timely, effective and efficient emergency medical service delivery at all levels of the society at no cost to the user at point of service.

“This marks an entry to a new and critical aspect of health care delivery to citizens at their point and time of need, which has been described as the missing link in the health system.

“KADSEMSAS is backed by the five per cent provision of the Basic Health Care Provision Fund (BHCPF) for emergency medical treatment overseen by the State Emergency Medical Treatment Committee (SEMTC).

“The five per cent BHCPF is seed money as more resources will definitely be required to run the programme at scale which will be raised from various sources.”

The commissioner appreciated the selfless oversight provided by the Chairman and members of the State Emergency Medical Treatment Committee, development partners and MDAs, for the support given towards the development of the manual.

In his remarks, the Director, Medical Services, Dr Jonathan Gajere, appreciated all the partners who worked closely with them to ensure they recorded success.

He said the meeting was to acquaint participants with the provision of the developed state emergency medical services and ambulance service guidelines.

Also speaking on behalf of the paramilitary, the Federal Road Safety Corps, Sector Commander, Mr Kabir Nadabo, said the document was a critical step towards saving lives and improving the health sector.(NAN)