Posted on: Fri 03-10-2025

Healthcare delivery in Nigeria has long been plagued by poor infrastructure, delayed responses during emergencies, and limited access to critical care, particularly in rural areas. Recognising these challenges, Kaduna State Governor, Uba Sani, has unveiled a major intervention — the Kaduna State Emergency Medical Services and Ambulance System (KADSEMSAS).

 

The system, inaugurated yesterday, is designed to transform the way medical emergencies are handled in the state by ensuring timely, coordinated, and life-saving responses.

 

Governor Sani described the launch as more than just the procurement of ambulances; it is a commitment to guaranteeing the right to rapid medical attention for every citizen. “This initiative represents a landmark in our people-first philosophy,” he said, stressing that no one should be denied emergency care because of where they live or their financial limitations.

 

KADSEMSAS comprises a fleet of fully equipped ambulances, a central dispatch centre staffed with trained personnel, and the deployment of emergency medical technicians and paramedics. This structure ensures that patients can be stabilised before arriving at the hospital, improving survival chances in critical conditions such as maternal complications, neonatal crises, and road traffic accidents.

 

The system is expected to operate seamlessly across all 23 local councils in Kaduna State, bridging the urban-rural divide in healthcare access. With a dedicated emergency number, residents can call for help, after which the nearest ambulance will be dispatched. Officials anticipate that this will drastically cut response times, especially in cases where delays have historically proven fatal.

 

The provision of free emergency care for the first 48 hours is another key feature, with priority given to pregnant women, children, and accident victims. This not only lowers the financial barriers to care but also demonstrates a targeted approach to protecting the most vulnerable groups.

 

Beyond the initial launch, Governor Sani emphasised sustainability. The state is simultaneously investing in upgrading health facilities, training medical personnel, and engaging communities to support the system’s operations. According to Commissioner for Health, Umma Ahmed, this represents a “major step forward” in ensuring that emergency response is both timely and of high quality.

 

Kaduna’s approach is not happening in isolation. The initiative follows the state’s onboarding into the National Emergency Medical Services and Ambulance System (NEMSAS) in 2024, approved by the Federal Ministry of Health. With Kaduna now setting the pace, its model could serve as a benchmark for other states seeking to strengthen emergency care under the framework of Universal Health Coverage (UHC).

 

If effectively implemented, KADSEMSAS could help entrench a culture of prompt emergency response in Nigeria’s healthcare delivery system — a culture that has been missing for far too long. The anticipated outcome is a reduction in preventable deaths, a stronger safety net for vulnerable populations, and improved public trust in health institutions.

 

For Kaduna, the launch of this initiative signals a decisive shift: from reactive, under-resourced emergency management to a proactive, structured, and people-centred emergency healthcare system.

---

---