… Zero Transit Deaths, Improved Survival Rates Mark Milestone Wins
… Impersonators, Vandals Hindering Rescue Efforts
The Lagos State Ambulance Service (LASAMBUS) has achieved an impressive 97.5% response rate to emergency calls between 2021 and 2025, responding to 44,152 out of 45,277 calls received.
Special Adviser to the Governor on Health, Dr. (Mrs.) Kemi Ogunyemi, who disclosed this today following a review of LASAMBUS operations and performance reports, noted that urgent public support is needed to sustain and improve its life-saving operations.
Dr. Ogunyemi described the achievement as evidence of the service’s dedication to providing swift and professional emergency medical response across the State. She, however, expressed concern over challenges affecting LASAMBUS operations, including impersonation, vandalism of assets, assault on personnel, and lack of public cooperation in traffic situations.
She appealed to residents to give ambulances the right of way and refrain from obstructing emergency operations at accident scenes. “Every second counts in an emergency. Obstructions can cost lives,” she said.
According to her, 36,919 patients were treated during the review period, with 11,200 of them in 2023 alone, reflecting the team’s consistent responsiveness even during peak demand.
Highlighting improved outcomes, the Special Adviser stated that LASAMBUS recorded zero in-transit deaths in 2022 and 2025 due to robust triage systems, prompt stabilisation, and the professionalism of its paramedics.
She also reported a remarkable 100% survival rate of patients transported in 2025, compared to 60% in 2021, describing it as a reflection of improved pre-hospital care in Lagos State.
Dr. Ogunyemi warned against fraudulent individuals posing as LASAMBUS officials and advised the public to dial only 767 or 112 for authentic emergency ambulance services
She condemned the rising incidents of ambulance vandalism and attacks on emergency personnel, describing such acts as criminal and dangerous to patients who depend on urgent medical intervention.
The Special A dviser noted that a total of 931 field assignments were executed by LASAMBUS in the past four years, with 350 of them completed in 2024 alone. Dr. Ogunyemi attributed this to increased public health campaigns and readiness drills.
She announced that a proposal to upgrade LASAMBUS from a department to a full-fledged agency is currently being reviewed by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to enhance operational autonomy and coordination
Giving historical insight, she explained that LASAMBUS has grown from a modest unit with 21 staff and four station wagons in 2001 to a robust emergency system with 36 Mobile ICUs, three Mobile Clinics, and five Transport Ambulances.
Dr. Ogunyemi added that the service currently operates from four major bases and 26 ambulance points across Lagos, a network designed to ensure proximity and speed in emergency response.
On staffing, she disclosed that LASAMBUS now has 196 personnel, including 64 Nurses, 74 Community Health Extension Workers (CHEWs), 70 trained ambulance pilots, and support staff, creating a multidisciplinary emergency response team.
She added that all LASAMBUS staff are certified in Basic Life Support and First Aid, with 75% certified in Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support, ensuring readiness to manage critical emergencies.
Dr. Ogunyemi also highlighted recent renovations at ambulance bases in LASUTH, General Hospital Lagos, General Hospital Ikorodu, General Hospital Badagry, and the construction of a new base at Eti-Osa MCC by the State Government, alongside the upgrading of five ambulance points at the Old Lagos-Ibadan Toll Gate, Eti-Osa, Anthony, Third Mainland Bridge, and Mile 12, funded by the Saving One Million Lives Programme for Results (SOML-PforR).
She commended LASAMBUS workers as unsung heroes who risk their lives to save others and urged Lagosians to support and protect them. “Together, let’s build a safer Lagos, one emergency response at a time,” she said.