FG expands emergency medical service to 34 states, plans digital dispatch system

Summary

The Federal Government says it has expanded the National Emergency Medical Service and Ambulance System to 34 states and is developing a digital platform to improve emergency response.

Highlights

• The announcement was made by the Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Iziaq Salako, in Abuja.
• The emergency system began as a pilot in the Federal Capital Territory before spreading to 34 states.
• The planned digital dispatch platform is meant to link emergency callers, ambulances and treatment centres in one system.
• Officials say the platform should support real-time response, patient tracking, referrals and claims management.
• The minister said better critical care also depends on wider links across ambulance services, oxygen supply, diagnostics, insurance and trained health workers.