National Emergency Medical Services and Ambulance System (NEMSAS), in partnership with Ibeju-Lekki Local Government, has launched the Rural Emergency Service and Maternal Transport (RESAMT) initiative tagged “SaveMama” to strengthen maternal and newborn healthcare in the area.
Eko Hot News reports that the programme was introduced during a stakeholders’ engagement and community sensitisation exercise held in Ibeju-Lekki Local Government Area. The initiative is designed to provide free emergency transportation for pregnant women and newborns who need urgent medical attention.
The SaveMama ambulance service aims to reduce delays in accessing healthcare facilities, particularly for women living in rural and underserved communities.
Speaking during the event, the National Programme Manager of NEMSAS, Dr. Doubra Emuren, described the initiative as a major step toward improving maternal and neonatal healthcare services.
She explained that the programme focuses on bridging critical gaps in emergency maternal care by ensuring that pregnant women can reach healthcare facilities quickly when medical support is needed.
Dr. Emuren noted that the initiative aligns with the Federal Government’s efforts to strengthen healthcare access across the country.
According to her, SaveMama forms part of broader national programmes implemented under NEMSAS to improve emergency medical services and ensure timely access to life-saving care for mothers and newborns.
She added that the initiative also supports the objectives of the national MAAMI project, which focuses on improving maternal and child health outcomes.
Dr. Emuren further explained that the programme provides free emergency transport and initial treatment support to pregnant women and newborns during medical emergencies.
She said the programme is designed to address one of the key challenges in maternal healthcare, which is the delay in reaching medical facilities during pregnancy-related emergencies.
The National Programme Manager also emphasised that the programme represents a collaborative effort involving federal, state, and local stakeholders.
She explained that such partnerships are important in expanding emergency healthcare services in communities where geographical factors may affect access to hospitals.
In his address, the Executive Chairman of Ibeju-Lekki Local Government, Abdullahi Sesan Olowa, encouraged pregnant women in the area to make full use of the free emergency transportation service.
The Chairman, represented by the Medical Officer for Health of the Local Government, Dr. (Mrs.) Agboola Abidemi Christy, highlighted the importance of the initiative for the wellbeing of mothers and babies.
He stated that the programme was created to ensure that no pregnant woman or newborn experiences delays in accessing healthcare due to transportation challenges.
According to him, the safety and wellbeing of mothers and newborns remain a top priority for the local government.
During the sensitisation session, participants received detailed information on how to access the SaveMama ambulance services.
Residents were guided on the dedicated contact channels and short codes that can be used to request emergency transport when needed.
The event also featured the distribution of maternal and newborn health support packages to pregnant women in attendance.
These packages were designed to support antenatal care, safe delivery, and postnatal health needs for mothers and babies.
Women from different wards across Ibeju-Lekki Local Government Area participated in the engagement session.
The organisers explained that community participation is essential to the success of the programme.
They noted that public awareness will help ensure that more women benefit from the free emergency medical transportation service.
The SaveMama initiative represents an important step in strengthening maternal healthcare delivery in rural communities.
Through partnerships between government agencies and local authorities, the programme aims to improve access to healthcare and support healthier outcomes for mothers and newborns in Ibeju-Lekki.
