The Federal Government, in collaboration with the World Bank, is set to launch the Rural Emergency Service and Maternal Transportation (RESMAT) initiative aimed at saving the lives of 1.7 million pregnant women in rural areas from maternal deaths.
Speaking during a stakeholders’ meeting in Ado Ekiti, Ekiti State, ahead of the program’s launch in January 2025, the representative of the National Emergency Medical Service and Ambulance System (NEMSAS), Adejoke Dada, highlighted the initiative’s goal of providing affordable, timely, and qualitative healthcare to pregnant women.
“This program is designed to help 1.7 million pregnant women access emergency care, preventing deaths caused by childbirth complications and neonatal diseases. The initiative is led by the Minister of Health, Prof. Ali Pate, and will target 15 states under the IMPACT Project in its first phase,” Dada said.
A NEMSAS resource person, Dr. Prosper Ahworegba, noted that maternal and infant mortality rates in Nigeria remain alarmingly high, with Nigeria recording between 576 and 615 deaths per 100,000 live births compared to just seven deaths per 100,000 live births in the UK.
“This initiative will place ambulances in wards across 15 states to ensure timely transportation of pregnant women and sick children to healthcare facilities. While the World Bank will provide the ambulances, a small token will be charged to ensure sustainability,” Ahworegba explained.
He added that an ambulance would serve every 10,000 persons, ensuring immediate access to comprehensive obstetrics and newborn care centers.
Dr. Ayodele Seluwa, Executive Secretary of the Ekiti State Primary Healthcare Development Agency, commended the initiative, stating that it would address critical transportation challenges and improve access to care. He emphasized the importance of community involvement to ensure the system’s effectiveness.
“With proper awareness, communities will own the system, access ambulance services, and reduce maternal and infant mortality rates significantly,” Seluwa stated.
The RESMAT initiative represents a significant step by the Federal Ministry of Health to bridge gaps in rural healthcare and combat maternal and infant mortality across Nigeria.
