Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia
Disturbed by its inclusion among areas with high maternal mortality, the Abia State Government has rolled out a Rural Emergency Medical Services and Ambulance System as part of urgent efforts to reverse the trend.
The intervention, flagged off in Umuahia on Friday, is targeted at bridging critical gaps in emergency response—especially in rural communities where delays in accessing care have proven fatal for many pregnant women.
The Commissioner for Health, Prof. Enoch Ogbonnaya Uche, acknowledged the gravity of the situation, noting that three local government areas—Bende, Obingwa, and Ukwa East—are listed among 172 high-burden council areas nationwide.
Describing the ranking as unacceptable, he said the state could no longer afford slow response systems that endanger lives.
“This is not where Abia should be. We are taking deliberate steps to change that narrative,” Uche said.
The initiative is being driven under the Maternal Mortality Reduction Innovations and Initiatives (MMRII), a federal programme aimed at tackling preventable deaths during pregnancy and childbirth.
Uche noted that although the state recently keyed into the National Emergency Medical Services and Ambulance System (NEMSAS), the absence of a structured rural response system had remained a major gap—until now.
He said the deployment of ambulances to the affected LGAs marks the beginning of a broader strategy to ensure no emergency goes unattended due to distance or logistical challenges.
Health officials say delays—whether in seeking care, reaching facilities, or receiving treatment—have been a major contributor to avoidable deaths, particularly in underserved communities.
“The focus is clear: eliminate delay. When emergencies happen, response time can be the difference between life and death,” the commissioner stressed.
While the government insists the initiative will be expanded statewide, concerns remain about sustainability, manpower, and the ability to maintain rapid response across hard-to-reach areas.
The Permanent Secretary, Dr. Ifenyinwa Blossom Ume-Kalu, however, expressed confidence that ongoing investments in primary healthcare—including facility upgrades and recruitment of personnel—would support the success of the programme.
“This is about saving lives where it matters most—at the grassroots,” she said.
Also, the Executive Secretary of the State Primary Health Care Agency, Dr. Kalu Ulu Kalu, said improved staffing and functionality of primary health centres would complement the emergency response system.
The rollout comes as Abia joins other states under increasing pressure to meet national and global targets on maternal health.
