Ike Nnachi, Abakaliki
The Ebonyi State Government has introduced a free 24-hour ambulance service to respond to medical emergencies in the Abakaliki Capital City, Governor Francis Nwifuru has announced.
Special Assistant to Governor Francis Nwifuru on Documentation, Boniface Nwankwo, made the disclosure in a statement issued on Friday.
He said the service covers all communities and towns within the Abakaliki capital territory along the Abakaliki ring road.
The ring road covers seven local government areas of the state, namely: Izzi, Ebonyi, Abakaliki, Ikwo, Ezza South, Ezza North, and Ohaukwu.
Mr. Nwankwo said the service, coordinated through the Ministry of Health, is accessible by dialing the toll-free emergency hotlines.
He noted that it is designed to provide rapid response to emergencies such as pregnancy-related complications, health crises involving children under five, snake bites, gunshot injuries, and road traffic accidents.
He added that beyond Abakaliki, the programme extends to Ohaukwu and Ivo Local Government Areas.
According to him, five standby drivers are stationed in each political ward to ensure round-the-clock availability.
In a major relief for patients, the government pledged that anyone ferried to hospitals under the emergency ambulance scheme would receive 48 hours of free medical care, fully covered by the State Government.
Mr. Nwankwo noted that the initiative reflects Governor Nwifuru’s commitment to ending maternal and infant mortality and ensuring that no resident is denied emergency healthcare due to financial constraints.
“This humanitarian service is strictly for genuine health emergencies, and citizens are urged not to abuse the hotline numbers,” Mr. Nwankwo stated.
The free ambulance project is the latest in a series of healthcare interventions rolled out by the Nwifuru administration under its People’s Charter of Needs agenda.
