The Federal Government of Nigeria has formally introduced a fully structured emergency response system in Cross River State, unveiling a dedicated emergency call centre and an ambulance network designed to improve immediate medical assistance during life-threatening situations such as flooding, road crashes, fire incidents and other public emergencies. Okay News reports.
The launch ceremony, which took place at the General Hospital in Calabar, the capital city of Cross River State in southern Nigeria, featured senior officials from the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare. The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Muhammad Ali Pate, was represented at the event by Dr Doubra Emuren, who serves as the Programmes Manager of the National Emergency Medical Service and Ambulance System.
According to Dr Emuren, the national initiative is structured to serve citizens across socio-economic backgrounds, especially communities categorised as poor and vulnerable who often face severe delays in accessing medical help in emergencies. He explained that the government intends to expand pre-hospital care through trained personnel, improved coordination, and a functional ambulance transportation chain.
He stated, “The Emergency Medical Treatment Gateway is one of the gateways within the Basic Healthcare Provision Fund under the National Health Act that ensures that no individual, poor or vulnerable, has to die as a result of lack of funding during emergencies.”
Dr Emuren added that the introduction of the system is part of the directive issued by the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare to ensure that every state across Nigeria gains access to an organised emergency medical service structure. He emphasized that the formal onboarding of the Cross River State Emergency Medical Treatment Committee marks the beginning of establishing a full management and operational framework within the state.
He further explained that the programme complements President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda for Health, which forms a major pillar of the Nigerian Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative. According to him, the framework guarantees timely ambulance deployment and ensures that patients are transported to healthcare facilities prepared to handle emergencies.
“This is key to President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda for Health, exemplified through the Nigerian Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative, to ensure that whenever you request an ambulance using a number, the government will provide; anybody who needs emergency services will be picked up and taken to a hospital that is ready to serve the patient,” he said.
At the state level, Dr David Ushie, the Technical Adviser on Universal Health Coverage to the Governor of Cross River State, Dr Bassey Otu, described the project as central to the government’s People’s First Agenda. He highlighted that the state has already established a dedicated call centre equipped with twenty-four-hour electricity, broadband access and trained personnel to attend to health-related complaints and urgent calls.
He said, “A call centre has been established to address healthcare-related complaints and concerns, ensuring prompt responses and quality care. The centre is equipped with broadband internet, 24-hour power supply and trained staff.”
He further explained that the emergency ambulance programme has commenced with five units and that the state aims to integrate both private and public ambulances to create a unified response network. Dr Ushie stressed that the administration is committed to ensuring that no resident is left without access to emergency treatment regardless of their financial status or geographical location.
Chief Godwin Iyala, who serves as the Director-General of the Cross River State Health Insurance Agency, expressed optimism regarding the newly launched system. Describing the initiative as “exciting and a welcome development,” he stated that residents would benefit from improved access to timely and quality emergency medical interventions.
The Federal Government has reiterated that the system is designed to be inclusive, sustainable, and accessible to Nigerians living in both rural and urban areas of Cross River State.
