By Ojoma Akor
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has unveiled 151 ambulances and communication equipment to boost emergency healthcare services across Nigeria.
The ambulances, comprising 145 tricycle ambulances and 6 boat ambulances, were launched under the National Emergency Medical Service and Ambulance System (NEMSAS).
Speaking during the virtual presidential launch of the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare’s projects, the Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Iziak Adekunle Salako, said the initiative is another milestone in strengthening Nigeria’s health system, expanding access to lifesaving services, and ensuring that quality healthcare reaches every Nigerian.
He said, “This landmark occasion features the official launch of the National Emergency Medical Service and Ambulance System (NEMSAS) assets, including 145 tricycle ambulances, 6 boat ambulances, emergency communication and dispatch equipment to strengthen pre-hospital care across the nation.”
He said the investments reflect a bold national vision where no Nigerian should lose their life because structural medical help could not reach them in time.
He highlighted that the emergency assets would improve rapid response services in urban centers, riverine settlements, and remote communities where access to healthcare remains difficult.
The minister added that the Federal Government also commissioned major healthcare infrastructure projects nationwide, including Emergency Operations Centers in Kano, Sokoto, and Katsina states, the Lagos Vaccine Hub, and several tertiary hospital projects.
Some of the flagship projects inaugurated were the Trauma Center at Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital, Zaria; the Mental Health Complex at the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital; the Infertility and Assisted Reproductive Technology Center in Bauchi; the Laboratory Complex at the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital; and the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu Complex at the Federal Medical Center, Abuja.
He added that, in the health sector over the last three years, health insurance coverage had expanded by more than 33 percent, over 4,000 primary healthcare centers had been revitalized, and 15 new federal tertiary health institutions had been established nationwide.
Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Daju Kachallom, said the ambulances would be stationed at primary healthcare centers in rural communities, where trained personnel would manage emergency response operations.
She said that emergency contact numbers would also be provided at primary healthcare centers to enhance rapid referrals and emergency coordination.
National Program Manager of NEMSAS, Dr. Emuren Doubra, said Nigeria loses about 75,000 women annually to maternal-related complications and nearly 280,000 newborns due largely to delays in accessing healthcare.
He said the tricycle ambulances were specifically designed to transport pregnant women and newborns during emergencies in hard-to-access areas.
He also said that over 58,000 women and more than 2,000 newborns had already benefited from emergency transportation interventions under the program.
Doubra narrated how a pregnant woman was transported over 180 kilometers from Dukku Local Government Area of Gombe State and later safely delivered triplets, adding, “This is a woman who would have died because of a gap in transportation.”
Director of Community Health Services at the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), Nana Abubakar, said the initiative would strengthen emergency referral systems and improve access to lifesaving healthcare services.
“It will help reduce preventable deaths, especially amongst mothers, newborn children, and other vulnerable groups,” she said.
National Coordinator of the National Malaria Elimination Program (NMEP), Nnena Ogbulafor, said that malaria prevalence in Nigeria had declined from 21 percent in 2021 to 15 percent in 2025.
“Between three years of Mr. President’s agenda, especially as regards the health sector, we’ve been able to reduce the burden of malaria significantly,” she stated.
World Bank Task Team Leader, Onoride Ezire, said the ambulance rollout was a major milestone in Nigeria’s drive toward Universal Health Coverage (UHC).
He enjoined beneficiary states to ensure proper maintenance and sustainability of the emergency health care assets.
