In a bold move to reduce maternal mortality and improve healthcare access in underserved regions, the Lagos State Ministry of Health has launched a partnership with the National Emergency Medical Service and Ambulance System (NEMSAS) under the Rural Emergency Services and Maternal Transportation (RESMAT) program. This World Bank-funded initiative, designed to support emergency medical services in rural areas, seeks to bridge critical healthcare gaps that often endanger the lives of mothers and infants. With an expected reach of over 1.7 million pregnant women by 2025, RESMAT marks a pivotal step toward universal health coverage in Lagos State.
The partnership was introduced during a high-profile stakeholders’ engagement meeting, where Prosper Ahworegba, NEMSAS Team Lead, highlighted the urgency of addressing maternal and infant health disparities across Lagos. Supported by NEMSAS Claims Officer Joke Dada and External Consultant Williams Gerlong, Ahworegba outlined the RESMAT program’s focus on delivering emergency transportation and medical services to hard-to-reach areas. The initiative targets rural communities that lack the necessary infrastructure for timely healthcare, aligning with Nigeria’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) for health and well-being.
Ahworegba explained that RESMAT’s six-pillar model aims to develop a sustainable framework for emergency maternal and infant care in rural settings. The model includes governance, advocacy, quality monitoring, skills improvement, financing, and the establishment of reliable dispatch systems. In a state as diverse as Lagos, which includes densely populated urban areas and isolated riverine communities, RESMAT’s approach combines land and water ambulances to meet local needs. This community-focused model will enable quick response times during emergencies, utilizing resources such as tricycles and boat ambulances for areas lacking traditional transportation options.
Special Adviser to the Governor on Health, Kemi Ogunyemi, expressed her support for the RESMAT program, emphasizing that it complements the state’s ongoing efforts to improve maternal and child health outcomes. She pointed to the growing healthcare demands in Lagos’s rural and riverine areas and underscored Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s commitment to expanding access to quality care. Recent initiatives, including the donation of five new ambulances by the Global Fund to the Lagos State Ambulance Service (LASAMBUS), reinforce the administration’s commitment to overcoming logistical challenges and meeting the healthcare needs of the state’s diverse population.
Commissioner for Health Akin Abayomi spoke on the importance of durable infrastructure and efficient emergency dispatch in remote communities. He announced plans to integrate the Lagos State Smart Health Information Platform with public health facilities to improve emergency response coordination across Lagos. Collaborating with the Lagos State Waterways Authority (LASWA), the state has also introduced water ambulances to serve riverine areas, ensuring that emergency services are accessible to residents in traditionally underserved regions.
The meeting closed with input from Olusegun Ogboye, Permanent Secretary of the Lagos Ministry of Health, who stressed that RESMAT’s success depends on strong local partnerships and effective resource distribution. He highlighted the ministry’s collaboration with local governments to strengthen primary healthcare centers near secondary facilities, enhancing emergency response capabilities across the state. Ogboye also proposed integrating emergency services with the Community Health Influencers, Promoters, and Services (CHIPS) program to provide remote communities with essential emergency response support.
With this multi-layered approach, Lagos State and NEMSAS are setting a precedent for achieving sustainable healthcare access across Nigeria’s rural landscape.
