Ambulance points for Lagos LGAs, LCDAs underway

By PRECIOUS IGBONWELUNDU

To further improve emergency response time in Lagos, plans are underway to locate ambulance points at all 57 Local Government Areas (LGAs) and Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs).

This was disclosed by the Permanent Secretary (PS) Ministry of Health, Dr Olusegun Ogboye, during a visit by the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) on strengthening pre-hospital care services.

Ogboye said there was an urgent need to have more ambulance points across in the grassroots, noting that it would reduce response time to emergencies and help in saving more lives during disasters.

He said the ministry would ensure patients get the best care possible, especially in the golden hour, adding that a committee would be constituted together with civil societies, to have a larger pool of first responders.

Ogboye said that establishment of the committee would help in reducing response time and ensure quicker access to medical services.

“The establishment of LASEMBUS has assisted our operations to save lives and this gave us an edge over other states in terms of emergency rescue, “ he added.

In his remarks, LASEMA’s Director General, Dr. Femi Oke-Osanyintolu, said the partnership would enhance pre-hospital care system in the state, help on achieving targeted five-minute response time, as well as improve the referral systems.

He explained that agency was looking towards the establishment of Local Emergency Cadets, in all LGAs/LCDAs with 12 well trained and equipped responders each.

Oke-Osanyintolu said there would also be Scol and Market Emergency Management Committees, to enable the agency capture emergency from the grassroots and achieve the maximum  five-minute response time target.

“We want to ensure the use of technology in driving our hospitals, to make us have a holistic and comprehensive data of emergency casualties. The collaboration will reduce deflation of funds and will also reduce fatalities to the barest minimum.

Also speaking, Managing Director, OMARLINK Integrated Services Ltd., Mrs Tolagbe Martins, called for synergy with the hospital to reduce fatality rate in the state. (The Nation)