The Federal Government has signed a Memorandum of understanding (MOU) as well as launch the Implementation Manual for the National Emergency Medical Service and Ambulance System (NEMSAS) programme, as part of efforts strengthen universal health coverage in the country.
NEMSAS is an innovative programme and implementation organ targeted at operationalizing the National Emergency Treatment Committee (NEMTC) of the Basic Health Care Provision Fund (BHCPF). Speaking at the ceremony, the Minister of Health, Dr Osagie Ehanire, said the concept was designed to ensure medical care is offered at no immediate out of pocket cost to beneficiary at point of care.
Also in his remarks, the World Health Organisation (WHO), Representative, Walter Mulombo, described the initiative as yet another milestone in the Nigerian health reform effort towards Universal Health Coverage (UHC), and Health Security in the country.
Other stakeholders in their analysis commended the policy saying it will further complement existing efforts to change the narrative in the nation’s health sector.
Other components of the Policy includes collaboration with key stakeholders like the guild of medical directors, Association of Private medical practitioners and the federal road safety corps, for immediate phased roll out of interventions scheduled to commence with the federal capital territory.
