FIC Report (Rivers State) – The Federal Government has selected Rivers State as one of the States that would implement the pilot program of the Rural Emergency Services and maternal transport, an initiative of National Emergency Medical Services and Ambulance System (NEMSAS) through Basic Health Care provision Fund to ensure the reduction in maternal, under five and new born materiality in the country.
Head of Operation National Emergency Medical Services and Ambulance System, Federal Ministry of Health, Doctor Emuren Doubia, made this known shortly after a stakeholders meeting at the office of the Mayor of Port Harcourt, Ezebuwo Ichemati.
Dr Doubra revealed that the Minister for Health and Social Welfare, Professor Ali Pate, has prioritize the health of pregnant women, under five children and new born.
He said he identified Emergency medical services as a missing link which resulted in delay in seeking appropriate medium for transporting emergency to facilities for appropriate treatments.
“So with these intervention inline with the sector wide approach program and the Nigerian Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative, support will be provided to the State to front load with equipment and pregnant women, children under five and newborns are saved in period of emergencies and by that we can reduce the maternal mortality and the new born mortality in Nigeria.”
He however appreciated the governor of the State, Sir Siminalayi Fubara and the Commissioner of health in Rivers State, Dr Chidinma Oreh for prioritizing maternal health in the state while assuring that fund will be provided for awareness programs, training, meetings to the successful implementation of the program.
On the path, the commissioner for health in Rivers State, Dr Oreh who was represented by the Director, Emergency medical services and Ambulance System in Rivers State Ministry of health Dr Ojum Sylvanus said the focus of the program is to improve the maternal health care to enable them reduce mortality in pregnant women, under five children and newborn in the state.
He added, that they have been working in the 23 Local Government Area of the State ensures that pregnant women and Newborn are moved to the hospital free of charge through the REMSAS.
Meanwhile the Chairman of ALGON, who is also the Mayor of Port Harcourt Ezebuwo Ichemati said coming up with such initiative is something that will be beneficial to everyone adding that through quick access to medical services lots of death has been reduced.
Ichemati stated that they are happy to have the program implemented in the state and would partner with the Federal government and NEMSAS to ensure success of the program in the State.
IKATA MESEL GLORIA.
For Head of Center
FIC, Port Harcourt.
