The Delta State Ministry of Health has called for collaborations among government agencies and other bodies for the effective utilization of the reactivated State Emergency Ambulance Service in the state.
The Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Dr Minnie Oseji made this known yesterday when she paid an advocacy visit to the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Transport, Mr Edwin Abraka in his office in Asaba on the workings of the reactivated State Emergency Ambulance Service.
According to her, ‘The scheme targets emergencies such as road accident cases and especially pregnant women being transferred from primary health care centres to general hospital or teaching hospital due to bleeding or other life threatening cases’.
Dr Oseji said that the choice of the transport ministry was borne out of the important role it plays in interfacing with road users and as first respondents when accidents occur.
She said that with the right partnership, officials of the transport ministry would enhance sensitization efforts which she noted would help road users respond appropriately and save lives at accident scenes.
Dr Oseji said that the ambulances which are hospital based are located in Kwale, Okwe, Sapele, Ughelli, Warri, adding that the Governor, Senator Dr Ifeanyi Okowa had approved the provision of three more ambulances to the current number to increase the fleet to eight.
She revealed that government also had plans for boat ambulances to be provided for those living in the riverine areas to be added to the two boat ambulances provided by the National Primary Health Care Agency in 2015 through the SURE-P to Warri North and Isoko South Local Government Areas.
Responding, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Transport, Mr Edwin Abraka, thanked his counterpart for the visit and the efforts aimed at the preservation of lives in the State.
He assured of his ministry’s desire to partner with the health ministry in whatever way possible with the aim to help save lives at accident scenes on highways.
Mr Abraka stressed the need for Vehicle Inspection Officers (VIOs) to be trained on basic life support techniques, saying they were sometimes the first respondents at accident scenes but lacked knowledge on first aid service.
He advocated that the ambulance service be multi-faceted to comprise of other relevant agencies which should synergize their activities with a view to preserving lives during cases of emergencies.
Mr Abraka said that his ministry would share data and interface with the Ministry of Health to make sure that the right thing was done during emergencies.
Highlight of the visit was the presentation of vehicle stickers by Dr Oseji to her transport counterpart for the purpose of sensitizing the members of the public as they carry out their official and even private duties.
The emergency call numbers are: 0800 500 0100 or 0803 123 0021.
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