The Gombe State Commissioner for Health Dr Habu Dahiru, has expressed government’s optimism to inaugurate State Medical Emergency Agency to cater for ambulance services in the state to reduce maternal and neonatal mortality.
Speaking on Friday at the debriefing of a delegation from National Emergency Medical Service and Ambulance System, Dahiru assured that the state will commence preliminary activities before the delegation’s next visit.
According to Dahiru, Governor Muhammadu Yahaya, has placed high premium on health, adding that observations raised by the delegation would be tackled as Gombe gears to participate in the pilot national programme on ambulance emergency services.
Dahiru said, “For the structure like I said yesterday we are going to form an agency at the moment it’s a committee.
“The committee will metamorphose to into a full agency to facilitate emergency ambulance services in Gombe State.
“Already we have identified the key officers you mentioned we will operationalise them to ensure they start working with a view to transforming into Gombe State Medical Emergency Agency.
“Gombe is ready to roll out this very important programme and the observations will be put into quick action. We will put preliminary activities before your next visit.”
The Commissioner urged the delegation to harmonise the operation in the state to one, saying “We appreciate your coming and we truly welcome the idea but we want one health programme, system. No fragmentation to say you are taking one side to Federal Teaching Hospital and the other side to Specialist, No. Gombe one health, one system so that it will strengthen the other.”
Speaking earlier, National Programme Manager Dr Saidu Ahmed, disclosed that the team came on assessment to Gombe State following the expression of interest.
Ahmed itemised some of the observed challenges in some facilities to include low bed spaces, personnel deficit, inadequate incubators among others.
He said, “There is something missing that is medical emergency and ambulance services. An ambulance will be mobilised despatched to your house for the ambulance to pick the patient and take the patient to the appropriate health facility and treated in the case of Nigeria the patient will be received and treated for 48 hours at no cost to the patient.”
On his part, Dr Emuren Pere, NEMSAS Head of Operations said following the team’s visit to Doma and Metro Hospitals should not be accredited, saying “there was apathy and inadequate doctors on ground.”
Pere lauded Myetti hospital for its exiting ambulance services, “We recommend he should be accredited immediately. He has bed space and will increase the bed space to about 15,” he added.
The Head of Operations, urged government to procured ambulance at State Specialist Hospital, “as a referral treatment centre. At the state emergency centre they have robust emergency setup they have enough staff but there is issue with connectivity,” he added.
Also, National Emergency Medical Treatment Committee Chairman; Dr Ismaila Musa, blamed poverty for residents failure to access medical services, saying that when the hurdles are removed many would freely use medical services.
He commended NEMSAS for giving the state time to tidy loose ends adding that “I know that the government will address the challenges raised.”
