Posted on: Thu 09-10-2025

The Gombe State Government has officially inaugurated the State Emergency Medical Services and Ambulance Scheme (SEMSAS) to strengthen emergency healthcare delivery and ensure timely access to life-saving treatment for residents in critical conditions.

The scheme, launched on Monday by the State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Habu Dahiru, guarantees 48 hours of free medical treatment for all emergency cases, ensuring that no life is lost due to the inability to pay hospital bills or delays in care.

Speaking at the inauguration in Gombe, Dahiru noted that SEMSAS was onboarded in 2024 under the National Emergency Medical Services and Ambulance Scheme (NEMSAS) and has since made notable progress in improving coordination and responsiveness to emergencies across the state.

“Today marks a new chapter in our health system. With SEMSAS, residents of Gombe can be assured that in times of emergency, they will not be left without help. This scheme is about saving lives and easing the financial burden that often delays treatment,”

Dahiru stated.

He also highlighted the state’s ongoing Rural Emergency Services and Maternal Transport (RESMAT) initiative, which offers free transportation for pregnant women in rural areas to the nearest health facility.

“Our government remains committed to protecting mothers and children. RESMAT ensures that no woman in rural Gombe is stranded when it’s time to deliver. Safeguarding lives at every stage is our priority,”

the Commissioner added.

The Project Coordinator of SEMSAS, Dr. Suraj Kwami, disclosed that while the official 112 emergency hotline is still being finalised, residents can already report emergencies through the GoHealth 24/7 Call Centre. The centre will coordinate responses and dispatch ambulances to the nearest equipped facility.

“The call centre will serve as the command hub of emergency operations in the state. Once a call comes in, the team immediately mobilises the nearest ambulance and ensures prompt medical attention,”

Kwami explained.

He warned ambulance drivers and emergency staff against misuse of government property, stressing the need for professionalism and accountability in service delivery.

“Ambulance vehicles are meant for saving lives, not personal errands. Any act of abuse will not be tolerated,”

he cautioned.

Community leaders, healthcare professionals, and residents who attended the event lauded Governor Muhammadu Yahaya for prioritising emergency healthcare access. They described the initiative as a landmark step toward bridging the gap between emergency response and hospital care, particularly for rural dwellers and low-income households.

The launch of SEMSAS aligns with the Federal Government’s broader efforts through NEMSAS, an initiative of the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, aimed at ensuring equitable access to emergency medical care nationwide.

Under the national framework, patients receive up to 48 hours of free emergency treatment—covering accident victims, maternal emergencies, and other life-threatening conditions—before any financial considerations are made.

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