By Iyemah David
The National Emergency Medical Services and Ambulance System (NEMSAS) has expanded operations to 30 States of the Federation, allowing residents in those states to access free emergency medical care by dialling 112.
National Programme Manager of NEMSAS, Dr Emuren Doubra, who stated this in an interview, said that the federal government will cover costs for the first 48 hours of treatment, which is funded through the Basic Health Care Provision Fund (BHCPF).
He reported significant progress between quarters, highlighting a twenty-five per cent increase in onboarded states and a substantial three hundred four per cent rise in emergency medical beneficiaries served overall.
He said transported patients increased from fewer than three thousand to over eleven thousand, showing greater uptake, faster mobilisation, and strengthened collaboration among participating providers across multiple levels.
“26 Federal Tertiary Health Facilities now participate within the system, offering referral pathways, skilled medical teams, essential equipment, timely interventions, and better outcomes for patients facing severe emergencies.
“Rapid Emergency Service Management and Triage structures operate in one hundred sixty-six of one hundred seventy-two local government areas, though insecurity disrupts activation in northern communities requiring support.
“More than five thousand obstetric emergencies received transportation, with 86 per cent delivered into Comprehensive Emergency Obstetric and Neonatal Care facilities capable of surgery, transfusion, neonatal resuscitation, and monitoring,” he said.
Inspite of improvements, he said that six maternal deaths and eighty-two neonatal deaths occurred, demonstrating ongoing challenges in stabilising complicated pregnancies before transfer and ensuring rapid availability of essential lifesaving interventions nationwide.
Dr Doubra also said that NEMSAS disbursed more than ₦487 million to states and facilities in the third quarter, covering both tertiary and community-level emergency transport systems.
He said 332.6 million went to tertiary health facilities, while N154.3 million was disbursed to participating states, including Yobe, Rivers, Ebonyi, Gombe, Ogun, Bayelsa, Osun, Bauchi and Anambra.
An innovation, he said named SAVEMAMA uses a short code 3581-has been developed, enabling pregnant women to request emergency transport through free voice calls, USSD sessions, and text messages without any airtime.
He explained the platform verifies requests, alerts trained drivers, coordinates facilities, follows journeys, confirms safe arrival, and automatically triggers payments encouraging consistent reliable participation supporting vulnerable mothers nationwide.
He added that NEMSAS has partnered with the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) to deploy “Zebra” ambulances and train their staff in basic life support, particularly for obstetric, child and neonatal emergencies.
According to him, there are currently 63 zebra ambulances across 23 states, with opportunities to leverage additional ones in Adamawa, Cross River, Enugu and Kwara states to fast-track implementation.
“A media cell enhances public awareness, coordinating evidence-based communication, building trust, guiding families, encouraging early calls, and strengthening acceptance of national emergency medical services across diverse regions daily.
“Next steps include concluding onboarding, formally launching SAVEMAMA, developing digital enterprise systems, and fully operationalising every Rapid Emergency Service Management unit throughout eligible local government areas efficiently nationwide,” he said.
He expressed commitment to creating a responsive national emergency medical system ensuring no Nigerian dies because lifesaving help arrived too late when survival remained possible with speed.
