By Fatima Saka
The National Emergency Medical Services and Ambulance System (NEMSAS) has called for stronger collaboration among the Federal Capital Territory Emergency Medical Services and Ambulance System (FCT-EMSAS), the National Hospital Abuja (NHA) and the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) to improve emergency response, pre-hospital care, patient referrals and integrated emergency healthcare delivery across the country.
The call was made on Thursday in Abuja during a high-level engagement involving NEMSAS officials, management of the National Hospital Abuja, FCT-EMSAS and FRSC, aimed at deepening inter-agency cooperation and addressing persistent challenges around claims reimbursement for emergency care.
In a statement issued by Blessing Efem on behalf of Alaba Balogun,the Director of Press and Public Relations, Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, the National Programme Manager of NEMSAS, Dr. Doubra Emuren, explained that funding for emergency medical care is provided through the Basic Healthcare Provision Fund (BHCPF) under the National Health Act, with priority given to poor and vulnerable Nigerians.
Dr. Emuren said vulnerable patients are entitled to free emergency treatment within the first 48 hours at designated facilities, including the National Hospital Abuja and the Federal Medical Centre (FMC) Jabi. He added that ambulance services can also be accessed at no cost through the national emergency number, 112.
“For the first 48 hours, vulnerable patients can walk into the National Hospital Abuja or FMC Jabi and receive emergency treatment free of charge. Ambulance services can also be accessed at no cost through the 112 emergency number,” he said.
He explained that vulnerable persons include unconscious patients, unidentified victims and individuals brought in by public-spirited citizens, noting that NEMSAS serves as an assured payer for accredited health facilities providing emergency services.
Addressing longstanding delays in claims reimbursement, the NEMSAS boss announced the introduction of a digital claims management system, developed with support from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, to replace the error-prone manual process.
Under the new system, claims will be submitted monthly, digitally verified and paid by the second week of the following month. Dr. Emuren said the platform would enhance transparency, accountability and efficiency while eliminating fraudulent claims.
He also disclosed plans to position the National Hospital Abuja as a major emergency response training hub for frontline responders, describing the initiative as part of broader reforms to strengthen emergency care and reduce preventable deaths from accidents, trauma and other life-threatening situations.
Dr. Emuren further urged states to establish functional emergency call centres to do so, stressing that effective emergency healthcare delivery is a shared responsibility between the federal and state governments.
In his response, the Chairman of the Medical Advisory Committee (CMAC) and Director of Clinical Services at the National Hospital Abuja, Dr. Isiaka Lawal, said the initiative would deepen collaboration among NEMSAS, FCT emergency services, FRSC and the hospital’s emergency units, leading to better patient outcomes.
“What we expect is stronger collaboration between all emergency service providers. With better alignment, outcomes will improve and mortality from both trauma and non-trauma emergencies will reduce,” Lawal said.
He acknowledged that while the hospital has handled numerous emergency cases under the NEMSAS framework, delays in reimbursement had placed strain on its limited resources. He said assurances of faster payment timelines would help sustain the programme.
“We have received assurances at the highest level that claims will be paid within the shortest possible time. This is critical for sustainability,” he added.
Budget Office Debunks Claims of ₦246bn Wages for NEDC
On access to care, Dr. Lawal assured Nigerians of improved emergency response nationwide, emphasising that emergency victims brought to the hospital would receive treatment within the first 48 hours, regardless of their ability to pay.
The meeting also reviewed the composition and functions of Hospital Emergency Medical Treatment Committees, ambulance tariffs and national standards for emergency care delivery, as part of efforts to fully integrate the National Hospital Abuja into Nigeria’s emergency medical response framework.
About The Author
