NEMSAS Seeks Stronger Partnerships To Strengthen Emergency Response In Abuja

The National Emergency Medical Service and Ambulance System (NEMSAS) has urged closer cooperation between the Federal Capital Territory Emergency Medical Service and Ambulance System (FCT-EMSAS), the National Hospital Abuja (NHA), and the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) to strengthen emergency response, pre-hospital care, patient referrals, and integrated emergency healthcare delivery.

The call was made during a high-level engagement in Abuja between NEMSAS officials, management of the National Hospital, FCT EMSAS, and FRSC. The meeting also aimed to address long-standing delays in claims reimbursement for emergency services.

Speaking at the event, National Programme Manager of NEMSAS, Dr. Doubra Emuren, highlighted that funding for emergency care is provided through the Basic Healthcare Provision Fund (BHCPF) under the National Health Act, with a focus on ensuring access for poor and vulnerable Nigerians.

“For the first 48 hours, vulnerable patients can walk into the National Hospital Abuja or FMC Jabi and receive emergency treatment free of charge. Ambulance services can also be accessed at no cost through the 112 emergency number,” Dr. Emuren said.

He explained that vulnerable patients include unconscious individuals, unidentified victims, and those brought in by concerned citizens, and stressed that NEMSAS acts as an assured payer for accredited health facilities providing emergency care.

To tackle delays in claims reimbursement, Dr. Emuren announced the rollout of a digital claims management system, developed with support from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, to replace the manual process prone to errors and fraud.

Under the new system, claims will be submitted monthly, verified digitally, and paid by the second week of the following month, ensuring greater transparency, accountability, and efficiency.

Dr. Emuren also disclosed plans for the National Hospital Abuja to become a major emergency response training hub for frontline responders, noting that the initiative is part of a broader reform to reduce preventable deaths from accidents, trauma, and other emergencies.

“We call on states yet to establish functional emergency call centres to do so. Effective emergency healthcare delivery is a shared responsibility between the federal and state governments,” he added.

Responding, Chairman of the Medical Advisory Committee and Director of Clinical Services at the National Hospital Abuja, Dr. Isiaka Lawal, said the initiative would enhance collaboration between emergency service providers, improve outcomes, and reduce preventable deaths.

“Stronger alignment between all emergency service providers will lead to better outcomes and lower mortality from both trauma and non-trauma emergencies,” Dr. Lawal said, adding that faster reimbursement timelines would help sustain emergency care programs.

Dr. Lawal further assured Nigerians that emergency victims brought to the National Hospital will receive care within the first 48 hours, regardless of their ability to pay.

The meeting also reviewed the composition and functions of Hospital Emergency Medical Treatment Committees, ambulance tariffs, and national standards for emergency care, as part of efforts to fully integrate the National Hospital into Nigeria’s emergency medical response framework.