Gombe to inaugurate medical emergency agency

The Gombe State Commissioner for Health, Dr Habu Dahiru, has expressed the government’s optimism about inaugurating the State Medical Emergency Agency to manage ambulance services and reduce maternal and neonatal mortality.

Speaking on Saturday during a debriefing with a delegation from the National Emergency Medical Service and Ambulance System, Dahiru assured that the state would begin preliminary activities before the delegation’s next visit.

According to Dahiru, Governor Muhammadu Yahaya has placed a high priority on health, noting that the issues raised by the delegation would be addressed as Gombe prepares to participate in the pilot national programme for ambulance emergency services.

Dahiru said, “We plan to establish an agency; currently, it’s a committee. The committee will evolve into a full agency to facilitate emergency ambulance services in Gombe State.

“We have already identified the key officers you mentioned, and we will operationalise them to ensure they begin working towards the establishment of the Gombe State Medical Emergency Agency.

“Gombe is ready to roll out this important programme, and the observations will be acted upon swiftly. We will complete the preliminary activities before your next visit.”

The Commissioner urged the delegation to unify operations within the state, stating, “We appreciate your visit and welcome the idea, but we want a single health programme and system. We do not want fragmentation, with one side going to the Federal Teaching Hospital and the other to a Specialist Hospital. Gombe needs one health system to strengthen all parts.”

Earlier, the National Programme Manager, Dr Saidu Ahmed, disclosed that the team visited Gombe State for an assessment following the expression of interest.

Ahmed highlighted several challenges observed at some facilities, including limited bed space, a shortage of personnel, and inadequate incubators.

He said, “What is missing is medical emergency and ambulance services. An ambulance should be dispatched to pick up a patient and transport them to the appropriate health facility. In Nigeria, the patient should be received and treated for 48 hours at no cost.”

Dr Emuren Pere, Head of Operations at NEMSAS, noted that Doma and Metro Hospitals should not be accredited due to “apathy and a shortage of doctors on the ground.”

Pere praised Myetti Hospital for its existing ambulance services, recommending immediate accreditation due to its sufficient bed space and plans to increase it to about 15.

The Head of Operations also urged the government to procure an ambulance for the State Specialist Hospital, which serves as a referral treatment centre. He added, “The state emergency centre has a robust emergency setup and adequate staff, but there is a connectivity issue.”

Additionally, the Chairman of the National Emergency Medical Treatment Committee, Dr Ismaila Musa, attributed the residents’ failure to access medical services to poverty. He expressed confidence that the government would address the challenges raised and commended NEMSAS for allowing the state time to resolve outstanding issues.