Rivers Launches Marine Ambulances For Riverine, Remote Communities

The Rivers State government has launched a marine ambulance system to cater for emergency healthcare needs of people living in riverine and hard-to-reach communities in the state.

Speaking during the launch in Port Harcourt on Thursday, the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Adaeze Oreh, described the deployment of the boat ambulances as a principled and strategic solution designed to bridge that gap and ensure that geography no longer determines survival.

Oreh stated that the initiative clearly reflected the vision and commitment of the state government under the leadership of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, to ensure equitable access to healthcare services for all citizens, regardless of location.

The Commissioner, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health, Professor Justina Jumbo, said the deployment of the boat ambulances, under the Rivers State Emergency Medical Services and Ambulance System (REMSAS), reinforced the state government’s resolve that no life should be lost simply because help could not arrive on time.

“Today marks another significant step towards our shared commitment to strengthening emergency medical response services in Rivers State, particularly for our riverine and hard to reach communities.

“For too long, distance and terrain has posed serious challenges in accessing medical care. The deployment of these boat ambulance is a principled and strategic solution designed to bridge that gap and ensure that geography no longer determines survival.

“This initiative clearly reflects the vision and commitment of the Rivers State government under the leadership of his Excellency, Sir Fubara, to ensure equitable access to healthcare services for all citizens, regardless of location. It reinforces our collective resolve that no life should be lost simply because help could not arrive on time,” she said.

In his remarks, the Executive Secretary, Rivers State Primary Healthcare Management Board, Dr. Chituru Adiele, said the boat ambulances were equipped with life-saving emergency equipment and a team of licensed and well-trained para-medics.

Adiele said: “We are here to commission the Marine Ambulance System for our state. This is a very important milestone in our commitment of the government, headed by the governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, in the provision of emergency healthcare to our state.

“We have started with two boats, which are fully equipped with life-saving emergency equipments and a team of licenced and well-trained para-medics. It is a full mini hospital that is floating and ready to deliver care to the people.”