The existence of a comprehensive emergency service is essential to improving mortality rates especially as it concerns maternal and child mortality which has remained a burden in Nigeria.
To this effect, the Federal Government is taking relevant measures to ensure adequate pre-hospital and in-hospital emergency care and referral systems between Basic Emergency Obstetric and New Born (BEMONC) and CEMONC health facilities, as well as financial risk protection for pregnant women in rural settings, is provided to improve overall health outcomes and significantly reduce poor indices of maternal and child mortality in the country.
Today, the Coordinating Minister Federal ministryofhealth, inaugurated the National Emergency Medical Treatment Committee (NEMTC) and signed an MoU on Rural Emergency Services and Maternal Transport (RESMAT).
The committee will serve as the statutory body tasked with the administration of 5% of the The BHCPF for Emergency Medical Treatment, this function is implemented through the National Emergency Medical Service and Ambulance System program.
Minister Pate, expressed that this was a timely, appropriate, and efficient response that could reduce these abysmal statistics while contributing majorly to the achievement of Universal Health Coverage as it will cater to a range of acute conditions in children and adults including non-communicable diseases.
The NEMTC comprises representatives from various stakeholders, including healthcare professionals, emergency medical services providers, government agencies, and civil society organizations, and is to meet at least bi-monthly. The ToR includes:
• To approve the NEMSAS work plan for the administration of the stipulated 5% of the Basic Health Care Provision Fund
• To provide periodic (quarterly, audited accounts and performance reports to the Ministerial Oversight Committee.
• To coordinate Emergency Medical Services in Nigeria.
• To ensure the delivery of quality, effective, efficient, and timely emergency medical services in Nigeria.
• To perform any other assignment as delegated by the coordinating minister for Health and Social Welfare
List of Members
1. Dr Ismaila Musa Jibrin – Chairman
2. Prof Seyeifa Brisibe – Co-Chairman
3. Dr Oyebanji Filiani – Honourable Commissioner of Ekiti State / Chairman Honourable Commissioners forum
4. Dr Simeone Onyaemechi – CEO/ Anambra State Health Insurance Agency/ Chairman Forum of SSHIA CEOs
5. Dr Muhammed Usman Adis – Executive Secretary Nasarawa State Primary Health Care Development Agency/ Chairman Forum of Executive Secretaries of SPHCDAs
6. Dr Ezire Onoroide – Senior Health Specialist – World Bank
7. Mr Daniel Atabo – Chief Search and Rescue officer – NEMA
8. Representative of the World Health Organization
9. Chairman Guild of Medical Directors
10. Chairman Committee of Chief Medical Directors
11. Representative of Federal Fire Service
12. Representative of Nigeria Police Force
13. Representative of Nigeria Communication Commission (NCC)
14. Representative of media
15. President, National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW)
16. Representative of Civil Society Organization (CSO)
17. President Association of Social Workers of Nigeria
18. Representative, Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC)
19. Representative Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC)
20. Representative National Blood Service Commission (NBSC)
The Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare is committed to ensuring that the NEMTC achieves its objectives and the RESMAT is effective in improving the overall health and well-being of Nigerians.