The Anambra State Emergency Medical Services and Ambulance System (ASEMSAS) has transported more than 150 patients in life-threatening conditions since its launch in May 2023, underscoring growing improvements in the state’s emergency healthcare response.
The Commissioner for Health, Dr. Afam Obidike, disclosed this on Monday during a news conference in Awka, where he reviewed the performance of ASEMSAS from May 11, 2023, to December 2025.
According to Obidike, the emergency interventions covered critical obstetric and neonatal cases, trauma, and acute medical conditions, as well as disaster-related incidents such as road traffic accidents and building collapses.
He said the performance figures reflect the effectiveness of emergency health reforms introduced by the administration of Governor Chukwuma Soludo, noting that timely response has been key to saving lives.
“Emergency services provided by ASEMSAS are free within the first 24 hours of care. In specific clinical cases, extensions are granted to ensure that financial constraints do not prevent access to life-saving interventions,” Obidike said.
The commissioner urged residents to promptly contact the service through the toll-free numbers 112, 5111, or 08002200008 during emergencies, stressing that early response could significantly reduce preventable deaths.
He described ASEMSAS as a major breakthrough in emergency healthcare delivery, revealing that the state’s ambulance fleet has expanded from an initial 10 vehicles at inception to more than 60 operational ambulances currently deployed across the 21 local government areas.
Obidike also disclosed that the state has received expressions of interest for 588 supplementary emergency transport units, including 315 tricycle ambulances designed to serve rural communities and support maternal emergency transportation.
“These interventions are targeted at reducing maternal and neonatal mortality, particularly in hard-to-reach areas,” he said.
To further ensure equitable access, Obidike said seven boat ambulances have been incorporated into the system to serve riverine communities, extending emergency coverage beyond urban centres.
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He added that ASEMSAS is fully integrated with public, private, and faith-based health facilities across the state to strengthen referral systems and ensure prompt treatment of patients.
According to him, the emergency transport initiative complements broader health sector reforms, including the introduction of free antenatal care and delivery services in September 2023 at all government health facilities in the state.
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