The Cross River State Government has inaugurated the State Emergency Medical Treatment Committee at the Calabar General Hospital, marking a significant step toward strengthening emergency response services and ensuring that no poor or vulnerable person dies due to lack of funding for urgent medical care
Speaking during the inauguration, the national representative, Dr Doubra Emuren the National Cordinator NEMSAS ( National emergency medical services and ambulance system) explained that Section 11 of the National Health Act mandates that at least one percent of the consolidated revenue fund be allocated to provide a basic minimum package of health services for Nigerians, particularly the poor and vulnerable. This allocation is channeled through four gateways which include the National Primary Healthcare Development Agency, the National Health Insurance Authority, the National Emergency Medical Treatment Committee, and the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control. The National Emergency Medical Treatment Committee administers five percent of this fund specifically for emergency medical treatment.
This allocation supports both prehospital and inhospital emergency services. Prehospital care covers the ambulance system, while inhospital care provides up to forty eight hours of stabilization for indigent patients. Services currently covered include under five emergencies, neonatal emergencies, road traffic accidents, drowning incidents, fire incidents, gunshot injuries, snake bites, communal clashes, building collapse victims, and other weapon related emergencies.
The committee’s membership cuts across multiple sectors.
The chairman highlighted the need to include the private medical sector which delivers between sixty and seventy percent of healthcare services in Nigeria. Representatives of civil society organizations, the Nigeria Union of Journalists, the Committee of Chief Medical Directors, security agencies, and other key partners also form part of the committee.
The absence of private medical practitioners and the Nigerian Police Force was noted, with a call for their integration due to the critical roles they play in emergency response.
The State Health Insurance Agency will be responsible for primary verification of claims to ensure accountability and prevent fictitious billing, while civil society organizations will help gather beneficiary feedback to strengthen service delivery. The Federal Road Safety Corps is also partnering with the program, and personnel will receive basic life support training to improve survival outcomes for accident victims.
The representative further explained the need for the state to map and empanel only facilities that are fully service ready, adequately staffed, and properly equipped to receive emergency cases. Facilities such as the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital and Calabar General Hospital are among those positioned to handle these emergencies. The state ambulance system will also be integrated into the national emergency medical treatment framework to enhance rapid response.
The committee is expected to meet monthly to review operations, verify claims, and strengthen coordination. Members were charged to uphold professionalism, ensure prompt deployment of ambulances, and guarantee that citizens can rely on the system during emergencies. The overall goal is to enhance emergency care, promote health security, and save more lives across Cross River State.
