In a significant stride toward improving healthcare accessibility and ensuring timely medical interventions, the Kaduna State Government has launched a robust emergency medical service aimed at transforming emergency response across the state. The initiative, inaugurated by Governor Uba Sani on Thursday in Kaduna, underscores the administration’s unwavering commitment to universal health coverage and prioritizes saving lives during critical medical situations, including childbirth, accidents, surgical emergencies, and other urgent healthcare needs. This landmark program is designed to bridge the gap between urban and rural communities, ensuring that every citizen, regardless of their location, has access to prompt and professional emergency care.
The newly introduced system comprises two key components: the Kaduna State Emergency Medical Service and Ambulance System (KADSEMSAS) and the Rural Emergency Services and Maternal Transport (RESMAT). Speaking at the flag-off ceremony, Governor Sani described the initiative as a bold and deliberate step toward reducing avoidable deaths by strengthening the state’s emergency response infrastructure. “Effective emergency response is often the difference between life and death,” he emphasized, highlighting the strategic design of KADSEMSAS to meet this urgent need. The system is equipped with rapid-response ambulance stations strategically positioned across the state, a 24-hour emergency call and dispatch center, and teams of highly trained medical professionals ready to respond at a moment’s notice.
A defining feature of this initiative is its inclusivity. Unlike many emergency systems that primarily serve urban centers, KADSEMSAS extends its reach to remote villages and rural communities, ensuring that emergency care is not a privilege reserved for a few but a fundamental right for all Kaduna citizens. “No one should be left behind when it comes to life-saving interventions,” Governor Sani stated, reinforcing the program’s focus on equitable access to healthcare. Rural ambulances and dedicated medical teams have been deployed to ensure that even the most remote areas benefit from this transformative service.
Since assuming office, Governor Sani has placed healthcare delivery at the core of his administration’s governance and development agenda. “Health is not a luxury; it is a fundamental right,” he declared, emphasizing that a healthy population is the bedrock of sustainable development. Every policy, reform, and budget allocation in the health sector has been carefully crafted to promote equitable access to quality healthcare and protect citizens from catastrophic health expenses. Among the notable reforms cited by the governor are the expansion of health insurance coverage for vulnerable groups, the implementation of effective healthcare waste management systems, and the revitalization of primary health centers under the state’s innovative “One Roof” policy, which aims to streamline and enhance service delivery at the grassroots level.
Governor Sani also reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to improving maternal, newborn, and child health outcomes. The state has prioritized initiatives such as safe delivery programs, widespread immunization campaigns, and accessible family planning services as part of its long-term strategy to improve health indicators and reduce mortality rates. These efforts align with global health goals and reflect Kaduna’s determination to create a resilient and inclusive healthcare system.
The Kaduna State Commissioner for Health, Umma Kaltum-Ahmed, described the launch of KADSEMSAS as a historic milestone that has the potential to save thousands of lives across the state. She characterized the system as a life-saving intervention that integrates RESMAT to deliver swift, professional, and coordinated medical care during emergencies. “Today is more than just a launch; it is a powerful statement that Kaduna values every life,” she said. The commissioner emphasized that the initiative connects communities directly to skilled emergency care, ensuring that no one is left without support during critical moments.
Emergencies, whether medical, surgical, obstetric, or accidental, often strike without warning and demand immediate, skilled responses. KADSEMSAS is designed to meet this challenge head-on, with a system that ensures no citizen is abandoned during a medical crisis. By incorporating maternal transport and rural emergency services, the initiative significantly expands the state’s healthcare coverage, bringing Kaduna closer to achieving universal health coverage. “This is a giant leap forward in ensuring timely and life-saving medical support, especially for our most vulnerable populations,” Kaltum-Ahmed noted.
The commissioner also expressed gratitude to the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare for including Kaduna in the National Emergency Medical Service and Ambulance System (NEMSAS) for 2024. This inclusion reflects the state’s alignment with national healthcare priorities while addressing its unique challenges. Additionally, Kaltum-Ahmed acknowledged the contributions of development partners, including the International Society of Media in Public Health (ISMPH), whose collaboration has been instrumental in the success of the initiative. “This partnership demonstrates our commitment to working with stakeholders to deliver impactful healthcare solutions,” she said.
The KADSEMSAS initiative is not only a state-level achievement but also aligns with global health objectives, particularly those related to maternal and neonatal emergencies in underserved areas. The system supports the Basic Health Care Provision Fund and the World Bank’s efforts to promote universal health coverage and strengthen health system resilience through innovation. By integrating advanced emergency response mechanisms with a focus on rural and maternal care, Kaduna is setting a model for other states to emulate.
The establishment of KADSEMSAS marks a turning point in Kaduna’s healthcare journey. With its comprehensive approach to emergency medical services, the state is addressing longstanding gaps in healthcare access and response times. The 24-hour call and dispatch center ensures that help is always just a phone call away, while the deployment of ambulances and trained professionals across urban and rural areas guarantees that no community is left behind. This initiative is a testament to the state’s proactive approach to healthcare reform and its dedication to improving the well-being of its citizens.
As Kaduna continues to roll out KADSEMSAS and RESMAT, the impact of these programs is expected to be far-reaching. Lives that might have been lost due to delays in accessing emergency care will now have a fighting chance, thanks to the state’s forward-thinking policies and investments in healthcare infrastructure. The initiative also sets the stage for further advancements in the state’s healthcare system, as it continues to build on its successes in maternal and child health, immunization, and primary healthcare revitalization.
In conclusion, the launch of the Kaduna State Emergency Medical Service and Ambulance System, alongside the Rural Emergency Services and Maternal Transport, represents a monumental step toward achieving universal health coverage and ensuring that every citizen has access to timely, life-saving care. Governor Uba Sani’s administration has demonstrated a clear commitment to prioritizing health as a cornerstone of development, and this initiative is a shining example of that vision in action. By addressing the unique needs of both urban and rural communities, Kaduna is paving the way for a healthier, more resilient future for all its citizens.