Rivers State Partners with National Health Team to Combat Maternal Mortality
By Precious W Ahiakwo
The Rivers State Ministry of Health has welcomed a collaborative effort with the National Emergency Medical Services and Ambulance System (NEMSAS) to reduce maternal and child mortality across the state.
This initiative, part of a broader national program, aims to enhance emergency medical services, particularly for women and children in rural areas.
👆🏿Dr Emuren Doubra, Head of Operations National Emergency Medical Services and Ambulance System from the Federal Ministry of Health who led his team from Abuja for the visit, underscores the importance of this partnership. He emphasized that the program, called the “Impact Rural Emergency Service and Maternal Transport Program,” is a collaboration between the World Bank, the Ministry of Health, and NEMSAS.
“We are dedicated to ensuring that emergency medical services reach the rural areas,” said Dr. Doubra.
He also highlighted the program’s financial support mechanism, which will cover emergency care costs to prevent patients from being denied services due to lack of funds.
Dr. Doubra further commended the Rivers State government for its proactive stance on healthcare, specifically praising Governor Siminalayi Fubara and Commissioner of Health, Dr. Ada Oreh.
“The governor has prioritized the health of pregnant women and newborns, and under the leadership of Dr. Oreh, we are able to make this project a reality,” he stated.
In response, the Mayor of Port Harcourt
Hon. Ezebunwo Ichemati, on behalf of the local governments expressed strong support for the initiative, while noting the critical role of the program in reducing preventable deaths.
“The Emergency Medical Service is something beneficial to everybody,”
The Mayor of Port Harcourt City Local Government also emphasizes the need for public education, particularly among rural communities where he pointed out that untrained midwives still handle high-risk pregnancies.
“The rise in maternal mortality is largely due to the lack of professional care,” he said.
“These untrained midwives often cause complications that lead to preventable deaths.”
Dr. Sylvanus Ojum, Director of Emergency Medical Services and Ambulance System in Rivers State, also spoke at the event, reflecting on the impact of the REMSAS initiative. “We are reducing maternal and childhood mortality by providing free transportation to hospitals and even performing surgeries where necessary,” Dr. Ojum explained. He added that the initiative is already working in several local governments, transporting women in labor to medical facilities free of charge. “The focus is to ensure that no woman dies due to complications during childbirth,” he said.
Dr. Ojum concluded by reaffirming the state’s commitment to partnering with NEMSAS and other stakeholders to ensure the success of the program. “Rivers State has gained a lot from this partnership, and we are open to further collaborations to enhance the wellbeing of our people,” he stated.
This collaborative effort marks a significant step forward in addressing the healthcare needs of women and children in Rivers State, particularly in underserved communities. As the program unfolds, officials are optimistic that it will lead to a sustained reduction in maternal and child mortality in the region.