Mirian Gom 
ABUJA, Nigeria – The Federal Government says it has significantly expanded emergency medical services nationwide through the National Emergency Medical Service and Ambulance System, (NEMSAS), while calling for improved public access to the 112 emergency number.
The National Programme Manager of NEMSAS, Emuren Doubra, made the disclosure in a statement on Monday responding to a scholarly review of Nigeria’s emergency care system published by the African Journal of Emergency Medicine.
The journal acknowledges progress in emergency medicine but highlights gaps in coordination between pre-hospital and hospital care, limited ambulance coverage and weak training frameworks.
Doubra says Nigeria now has emergency medical service structures in 33 states and the Federal Capital Territory, with 21 states fully operational and others nearing launch. He adds that NEMSAS coordinates both public and private facilities to ensure free emergency care for poor and vulnerable Nigerians.
He confirms that 11,200 women with obstetric emergencies and 1,680 newborns have been transported and treated under the scheme. FG Expands Emergency Medical Systems, Urges Use of 112 Line
Addressing concerns over multiple emergency numbers, Doubra explains that technical limitations necessitated alternatives but concedes that awareness of the 112 line remains low. He urges the Nigerian Communications Commission to improve nationwide functionality across all networks.
Doubra also calls for a Good Samaritan Law to protect citizens who assist accident victims, warning that fear of harassment discourages lifesaving intervention.
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