Ogun steps up healthcare with ambulance services

Governor Amosun

 Ogun State government has boosted its healthcare programme with the launch of its rebranded ambulance services, becoming the first in the country to join the United Nation’s Decade of Action on Road Safety to reduce deaths on the highways. 

To enhance the ambulance service, the Ibikunle Amosun administration also introduced an emergency toll-free number 122, which can be accessed by anyone anywhere in the state during emergencies through any mobile network.

Across the world, public telephone networks have a single emergency line, usually known as the universal emergency telephone number or occasionally the emergency service number that allows callers to access local emergency services for medical or other forms of assistance.     

Many reckon that the emergency services will boost the people’s health. 

Several organisations are also partnering with the state to manage the rapid response scheme in emergency cases and ensure  effectiveness of the scheme.

Those organisations include the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Nigerian Red Cross and Nigerian Aid Group.

Governor  Amosun spoke on the  preparedness of the state for this service. 

He said: “We have sponsored all our emergency personnel for training on First Responder Skills, Basic Life Support and Advanced Cardiac Life Support Certification from the American Heart Association”.

Also, the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Olaokun Soyinka, said a communication system has been put in place to enable speedy response to emergencies. According to him, “a fleet controller, who is the emergency  call centre coordinator, will be on the ground at all times and will be in contact with all ambulances and accident and emergency centres”.

He called on other stakeholders such as the state Traffic Compliance and Enforcement Agency (TRACE), Nigeria Police Force and those in Works and Transport sectors as well as other private enterprises such as the Critical Rescue International, to prevent emergencies arising from road crashes.

 Dr. Soyinka disclosed that all the agencies form the “Road Safety Coalition” and their focus is to keep the roads structurally safe and well maintained, enforcing traffic rules, improving signage and responding promptly to accidents.

The Commissioner stated that the top range advanced life support ambulances would be located across the State and each of them will be manned by a crew of trained personnel.  

“Our crews have undergone extensive specialist training. For the first time in the state, we have purpose trained paramedics and this will in future be the minimum benchmark for all our crews”.

Warning all road users to desist from habits that could lead to accidents such as alcohol drinking, non-usage of helmets on motorbikes, over-speeding, non-usage of seat belts, amongst others, he emphasised that, if accidents occur, the public should remember to dial 122 for immediate medical attention.

“It is important to state here finally that as people are constantly travelling in and out of the state, lots of people could be faced with the number to call during emergencies and when in need of ambulance service.  As we go about our daily thrust and seek to fulfill our regular commitment, we may be victims or witnesses of activities that demand emergency response. All you need do is remember number  122,” he said.