The Federal Government is set to introduce the Rural Emergency Service and Maternal Transportation (RESMAT).
Dr. Saidu Dumbulwa, the National Programme Officer for the National Emergency Medical Services and Ambulance System (NEMSAS), made this announcement during a stakeholders’ meeting in Abuja with the theme “Addressing the Abysmal Maternal Mortality Indices Through Rural Emergency Medical Services”
Dumbulwa highlighted that Nigeria witnesses approximately nine million pregnancies each year, with an estimated nine percent encountering complications, primarily in rural areas.
He emphasized that delays in transportation constitute a significant factor contributing to maternal mortality.
Citing statistics from the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF), which indicates a Maternal Mortality Rate (MMR) of 576 per 100,000 live births and an under-five mortality rate (U5MR) of 95 per 1,000 live births in Nigeria, accounting for 10 percent of global under-five deaths, Dumbulwa stressed the urgency of addressing these issues.
He pointed out that the Nigerian health sector renewal investment program, through the sector-wide approach, prioritizes rural ambulance and maternal transport.
This strategic focus aims to tackle the burden of disease by enhancing pre-hospital and emergency care in rural and hard-to-reach areas, ultimately reducing maternal deaths in Nigeria.