Poor Network Coverage Hampers Emergency Response – NEMSAS Warns

ABUJA, Nigeria –  Poor telecommunications connectivity is undermining emergency medical response across Nigeria, the Nigerian Emergency Medical Services and Ambulance System (NEMSAS) has warned.

National Coordinator, Dr Doubra Emuren, said unreliable network coverage continues to disrupt the national emergency number, 112, limiting rapid response capabilities.

“Connectivity is critical to emergency response. When networks fail, lives are put at risk,” he said at a media workshop in Abuja.

The training, organised in collaboration with the Solina Centre for International Development and Research, aimed to strengthen communication around emergency services.

Emuren revealed that Nigeria currently has fewer than 1,000 paramedics and about 500 ambulances—far below the estimated 4,000 required.

He called for expanded training of Emergency Medical Technicians and greater private sector involvement, including the integration of air ambulances.

Other challenges include poor road access, insecurity and weak inter-agency coordination.

Despite constraints, NEMSAS has transported about 47,000 pregnant women and newborns under its maternal health programme.

Health experts at the event stressed the need for stronger infrastructure, policy reforms and public awareness to build a more responsive emergency healthcare system.

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Mirian Gom

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Gom Mirian AHR Senior Correspondent, has over 8 years’ experience reporting on health, crime, education, investigations, and development issues across Nigeria and Africa. With dual degrees in Economics, she combines analytical skill with compelling storytelling. Widely recognised for her public health and humanitarian reporting, she earned a Nestlé Award nomination for compelling human-interest journalism. Follow her on Twitter @mirian_linus.

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