President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has commissioned 79 locally-assembled advanced ambulances for deployment to tertiary health institutions across Nigeria, in a major move aimed at strengthening emergency healthcare services and reducing preventable deaths nationwide.
The ambulances, unveiled on Tuesday in Lagos, will be distributed to federal tertiary hospitals under the National Emergency Medical Services and Ambulance System (NEMSAS) to enhance emergency response and patient referral services across the country.
Representing President Tinubu at the commissioning ceremony, the Chief Medical Director of the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), Professor Wasiu Lanre Adeyemo, described the initiative as a significant milestone in the Federal Government’s efforts to build a more responsive and integrated emergency healthcare system under the Renewed Hope Agenda.
According to Adeyemo, the advanced ambulances will improve the speed and quality of emergency medical interventions by facilitating the rapid transportation of patients from homes, schools, markets, highways, and other locations to healthcare facilities.
“These ambulances will improve the movement of patients from homes, schools, markets, highways and other locations to hospitals where they can receive timely medical attention. This will significantly reduce avoidable deaths and complications arising from delayed access to care,” he said.
He explained that the vehicles are equipped with modern Advanced Life Support systems and communication technologies that enable medical teams to notify hospitals ahead of patients’ arrival, allowing healthcare providers to prepare for immediate treatment.
Adeyemo further revealed that the ambulances were fully assembled in Nigeria, including the installation of all emergency medical equipment, highlighting the country’s growing capacity in local manufacturing and healthcare technology.
“These ambulances are a testament to Nigeria’s ability to produce world-class emergency response vehicles locally. Beyond improving emergency healthcare delivery, this initiative will stimulate local manufacturing, create employment opportunities and strengthen confidence in indigenous capacity,” he stated.
In line with the Federal Government’s energy diversification policy, the ambulances operate on dual-fuel technology, using both Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) and Compressed Natural Gas (CNG).
The LUTH CMD noted that the project complements ongoing health sector reforms spearheaded by the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Muhammad Ali Pate, particularly efforts aimed at strengthening emergency care systems and expanding access to quality healthcare services.
He stressed that improving emergency transportation remains critical to reducing mortality rates, noting that access to healthcare facilities during emergencies can often determine survival outcomes.
“Healthcare facilities must be accessible when emergencies occur. Efficient emergency transportation is essential to saving lives,” he added.
Adeyemo also encouraged state governments, local councils, and private organisations to take advantage of Nigeria’s growing local production capacity to meet future emergency medical transportation needs.
The Federal Government expressed confidence that the nationwide deployment of the ambulances would strengthen referral systems, improve access to lifesaving healthcare, and support broader reforms aimed at reducing morbidity and mortality across Nigeria.
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