The Governor of Taraba State, Dr. Agbu Kefas, has commissioned the first phase of 168 mobile pentacyclic ambulances to ensure comprehensive health care coverage in Taraba State.
Represented by the Deputy Governor, Alhaji Aminu Alkali, the Governor said the initiative is part of his five-finger agenda, with providing health care being key.
He charged the local government chairmen to ensure the effective use of the mobile ambulance pentacycles, warning that he will not tolerate any misuse.
Speaking at the commissioning, the Commissioner of Health, Dr. Bodia Gbansheya Buma, said the initiative will alleviate the health challenges of people at the grassroots. According to him, the administration of Dr. Agbu Kefas highly values the contributions and importance of people at the grassroots, who have been playing major roles in electing credible leaders who will listen to their plights and quickly provide solutions.
"Viewing with great concern the health challenges of the people, His Excellency thought it wise to bring this initiative of bringing healthcare to the doorsteps of the people at the grassroots by providing the community with well-equipped pentacyclic ambulances to be manned by skilled health workers. This is to reduce unnecessary delays in the transportation of the sick from the community to the Primary Health Care Centers (PHCC) and from PHCC to the General or First Referral Hospital in case of a medical emergency," the Commissioner said.
Dr. Buma stated that most cases of mortality are due to delays in accessing quality health care, resulting from poor road networks, lack of money for transportation, and the fact that most people live below the poverty level. Sometimes, even where transportation is available, patients are conveyed by unskilled personnel, which can complicate their health or even lead to death before reaching the health facility.
To overcome these challenges, this administration has dedicated its experience to providing a quality, accessible, and affordable healthcare delivery system to the people of the state at the right time by providing well-equipped pentacyclic (also known as Keke) ambulances to be manned by trained health care personnel. According to him, this will allow for easy movement and management of emergency patients from the community to the Primary Health Care Center (PHCC) and General or Referral Hospital as needed.
The Commissioner said the State Ministry of Health is working closely with the Federal Ministry of Health to be connected to the National Emergency Medical Services and Ambulance Services (NEMSAS). This will provide citizens with free toll lines, ensuring that ambulance services will arrive at the location of an emergency within the shortest possible time.
Dr. Buma called on all stakeholders, especially local government chairmen, traditional rulers, youth leaders, women leaders, and all sons and daughters of the state, to guard and protect the program to ensure that this laudable initiative is not only maintained but sustained for the good and benefit of current and future generations.
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