The Lagos State Ambulance Service (LASAMBUS) on Thursday revealed that it responded to 44,152 emergency calls between 2021 and 2025, representing a 97.5 per cent success rate in emergency response.
The milestone was announced by the special adviser to the Governor on Health, Dr. (Mrs.) Kemi Ogunyemi, on Thursday, underscores the state’s commitment to strengthening emergency medical response and highlights the growing capacity of LASAMBUS as a critical first responder in Lagos.
Speaking during a review of LASAMBUS operations and performance reports, Ogunyemi revealed that out of 45,277 emergency calls received over the last four years, the service successfully responded to over 44,000 incidents nationwide. She emphasized that despite the impressive response rate, challenges such as impersonation, vandalism, assault on personnel, and obstruction during emergency operations remain a significant threat to effective service delivery.
“Every second counts in an emergency. Obstructions can cost lives,” Ogunyemi warned, appealing to residents to grant ambulances the right of way and avoid interfering at emergency scenes.
As the service continues to expand its capacity, Ogunyemi disclosed that Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu is currently reviewing a proposal to upgrade LASAMBUS from a department under the Ministry of Health to a full-fledged agency. The move, she said, aims to grant LASAMBUS more operational autonomy and improve coordination, thereby enhancing emergency medical outcomes in the state.
“This evolution is necessary. We are no longer the small unit that began in 2001 with just 21 staff and four station wagons. Today, we operate with 36 Mobile ICUs, three Mobile Clinics, and five Transport Ambulances.”
