The Federal Government has inaugurated a free emergency medical services initiative for indigent patients at the National Orthopaedic Hospital, Dala, in Kano State.
Implemented under the National Emergency Medical Service and Ambulance System (NEMSAS), the scheme aims to provide life-saving care during the first 48 hours of hospital admission.
At the inauguration on Friday, the hospital’s Chief Medical Director, Dr Nurudeen Isa, described the initiative as a major milestone in the government’s healthcare agenda.
He noted that all indigent patients brought to the hospital from any part of the state would receive emergency care at no cost for the first 48 hours.
Isa explained that NEMSAS was directly funded from the Federation Account and targeted vulnerable Nigerians needing urgent medical attention.
“The programme covers emergencies such as road traffic accidents, obstetric complications, snakebites, gunshot wounds, and other critical conditions.
“This is the first accredited facility in Kano under the programme. More hospitals will be enlisted soon,” he said.
The Head of Operations at NEMSAS, Dr Emuren Doubra who represented the programme’s national manager, Dr Said Dumbulwa, reaffirmed its sustainability.
He noted that funding was provided through the Basic Health Care Provision Fund (BHCPF), with 5 per cent allocated for emergency treatment as mandated by the National Health Act.
Dumbulwa added that NEMSAS collaborated with both public and private facilities to relieve poor and vulnerable Nigerians of the financial burden of emergency care.
He said the programme also aligned with the Renewed Hope Agenda for Health and was part of the broader National Health Sector Renewal and Investment Initiative led by Coordinating Minister Prof. Muhammad Pate.
“As part of its implementation, ambulances equipped with medical staff and life-saving equipment has been deployed in partnership with the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC).
“These ambulances offer pre-hospital care and alert receiving facilities in advance.”
One of the beneficiaries, Aliyu Abdul, shared his experience: “I was told in Enugu and Lagos that my leg would be amputated.
“But when I came here, I got better treatment. I am now recovering, you can see I am standing.”
The programme is expected to expand across Kano State and serve as a national model for emergency healthcare delivery.
NAN
