The federal government has established a new committee, the National Emergency Medical Treatment Committee (NEMTC) and has agreed to partner with the Rural Emergency Service and Maternal Transport (RESMAT) scheme through a signed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). Professor Muhammad Ali Pate, the Nigerian Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, issued this statement. He believes these advancements are a turning point for emergency medical services in the country, promising prompt and effective care for everyone, especially those in need.
Dr. Ismail Musa Jibrin leads a team of experts within NEMTC, working together to enhance emergency medical services and decrease maternal mortality rates. The committee incorporates various stakeholders, including government entities at various levels, private industry collaborators, and global organisations like the World Bank. According to Pate, this approach guarantees a unified and strong initiative to improve the Healthcare Industry across the country. The collaborative effort between the National Emergency Medical Services and Ambulance System (NEMSAS) has birthed the RESMAT initiative, which seeks to enhance the accessibility and effectiveness of emergency transportation and care in remote regions.
Tinubu prioritises people’s well-being through various initiatives.
RESMAT aims to improve health outcomes by decreasing maternal mortality rates through the prompt provision of care, especially for pregnant women facing delays in accessing services. The Basic Health Care Provision Fund (BHCPF) will provide funds for the initiative, guaranteeing that emergency services are delivered with a focus on quality and timeliness. According to Pate, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has prioritised Nigerian citizens’ well-being during his leadership, launching many initiatives, including the Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative (NHSRII).
Also, the Sector-Wide Approach (SWAp) program actively addresses diverse care needs, focusing on the most vulnerable and impoverished populations. Key strategies involve improving governance to ensure transparency and accountability, enhancing the system to provide better services, and promoting collaboration between the public and private sectors to generate value and Innovation in medical support delivery. The program further aims to strengthen national wellness Security by improving preparedness and response mechanisms to emergencies, ensuring a robust and resilient medical services Infrastructure for all.
NEMTC to reduce maternal mortality and provide emergency care nationwide.
Various stakeholders, such as the National Blood Service Commission, National Health Insurance Agency, National Primary Health Care Development Agency, Nigeria Centre for Disease Control, the Manager of NEMSAS within the Ministry of Health, the World Bank, and other attendees, were present at the inauguration ceremony and signing of the MoU. Chairman NEMTC, Dr. Ismail Musa Jibrin, thanked all those who contributed, emphasising the importance of their commitment and teamwork in making the initiative successful. He mentioned establishing a strong emergency medical system to save lives and enhance the community’s overall well-being.
In addition, NEMTC is crucial for coordinating and improving emergency services across the country. Comprised of experts and led by Dr. Ismail Musa Jibrin, the committee integrates various stakeholders, including government bodies, Private Sector partners, and international organisations like the World Bank. Their collective efforts focus on developing a robust emergency response system, enhancing care delivery, and reducing maternal mortality rates, thus ensuring that emergency medical services are efficient, accessible, and responsive to the needs of all Nigerians.
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Lastly, the RESMAT scheme is specifically designed to address the challenges of providing timely care in remote areas. By leveraging funds from the Basic Health Care Provision Fund, RESMAT ensures that emergency services are both high-quality and prompt, emphasising maternal care. This initiative is essential for improving medical outcomes in rural regions, where access to medical services facilities is often limited, and it plays a significant role in reducing delays that pregnant women face in receiving critical medical care.