Emergency Response Africa (ERA), a healthcare technology company, has said its summit would enhance prehospital emergency care in the country.
The firm hosted its inaugural Prehospital Emergency Care Stakeholder Summit, with the theme, ‘Beyond the Ambulance’, in Lagos.
The event brought together healthcare executives, policymakers, emergency responders, and industry experts to address critical challenges in emergency care and explore solutions for a more efficient and responsive emergency care system in Nigeria.
Nigeria faces a severe shortage of emergency medical services, with only 0.4 ambulances per 100,000 people, far below the WHO’s recommendation of one per 10,000. This lack of emergency care contributes to preventable deaths, particularly among mothers and newborns.
More than 80 per cent of maternal deaths in Nigeria could be avoided with timely emergency care, underscoring the urgent need for improved access to lifesaving medical services.
Founder of the Emergency Medicine Kenya Foundation and Associate Professor of Emergency Medicine at Aga Khan University, Nairobi, Dr. Benjamin Wachira, emphasized the need for innovative and technology-driven approaches to prehospital care.
The Commissioner for Health in Ogun State, Dr. Tomi Coker outlined Ogun State’s recent efforts to combat maternal and neonatal mortality, through the launch of the Maternal and Newborn Mortality Reduction Innovation and Initiative (MAMII), emphasizing the government’s commitment to enhancing maternal and newborn survival rates.
Coker reaffirmed the Ogun State government’s commitment to improving maternal and newborn survival rates through a holistic approach that addresses infrastructure deficits, workforce gaps, and the integration of technology for safer pregnancies and childbirth.
The inaugural Prehospital Emergency Care Stakeholder Summit featured insightful panel discussions and case studies on key topics such as building a sustainable emergency response system, leveraging technology in prehospital care, community-driven first response models, alongside policy and regulatory frameworks to standardize emergency medical services across Africa.
A key financing partner of the Edo Emergency Medical Service (EDOEMS) project, Fund for Innovation in Development (FID), was recognised for its commitment to strengthening emergency response systems.
Investment Officer at FID, Amina Zakhnouf, highlighted the organisation’s dedication to supporting innovative healthcare solutions.
“At FID, we believe that innovation is key to solving some of the world’s most pressing challenges, including poverty, inequality and access to emergency medical services. By supporting projects like EDOEMS and the Prehospital Emergency Care Stakeholder Summit, we are helping to create scalable solutions that can transform emergency care in Nigeria and beyond.
“We are excited to see the impact of these interventions in saving lives and improving health outcomes,” she said.
The CEO of Emergency Response Africa, Folake Owodunni, emphasised the importance of public-private partnerships in addressing Nigeria’s emergency care challenges and called for increased collaboration between governments, private sector players, and development partners to scale emergency response systems nationwide.
ERA remains committed to working with state governments to implement and enhance emergency medical systems, driving sustainable reforms in Nigeria’s healthcare ecosystem.
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