Kwara deploys five new ambulances to boost emergency services

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The Kwara State Government has strengthened its emergency medical services with the deployment of five newly refurbished and fully equipped ambulances to improve emergency response and patient referrals across healthcare facilities in the state.

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According to a statement issued on Thursday by the Press Secretary of the Kwara State Primary Health Care Development Agency, Bukola Abdulganiyu, the ambulances were refurbished by the agency under the Human Capital Opportunities for Prosperity and Equity Project and officially handed over to the Kwara State Hospital Management Board in Ilorin.

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The Executive Secretary of the KWSPHCDA, Prof. Nusirat Elelu, said the intervention reflects Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq’s commitment to building a more resilient and efficient healthcare system capable of delivering timely emergency medical services.

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Represented by the agency’s Director of Personnel, Finance and Supply, Ajide Olayioye, Elelu said the administration had continued to prioritise strategic investments to improve healthcare delivery across the state.

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“This initiative is another demonstration of the Kwara State Government’s unwavering commitment to strengthening emergency medical services and building a resilient healthcare system.

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“Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq’s people-centred approach to governance continues to deliver tangible improvements in healthcare services for the people of Kwara State,” she said.

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Elelu commended the Ministry of Health, the Commissioner for Finance and Chairman of the Project HOPE Steering Committee, Dr Hauwa Nuru, and development partners for supporting the project.

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“The successful refurbishment and equipping of these ambulances were made possible through the collaboration between the state government, the Ministry of Health, Project HOPE and our implementing partners,” she said.

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She urged the Hospital Management Board to ensure the ambulances are used strictly for emergency medical services and patient referrals.

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“These ambulances are meant for emergency response and patient referral. They should be used solely for the purpose for which they were provided.

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“Proper maintenance, routine servicing and responsible utilisation will preserve these ambulances and ensure that the people of Kwara State continue to benefit from this investment,” she cautioned.

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Receiving the ambulances, the Executive Secretary of the Kwara State Hospital Management Board, Dr Abdulraheem Malik, thanked Governor AbdulRazaq for prioritising the health sector.

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“The governor has consistently demonstrated his commitment to improving the welfare and healthcare of the people through sustained investment in the health sector,” Malik said.

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He also appreciated the Ministry of Health, the KWSPHCDA, Project HOPE and other stakeholders for supporting the initiative.

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“We will deploy these ambulances strictly for emergency medical services and patient referrals while ensuring regular maintenance of both the vehicles and the medical equipment,” he added.

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The state government said each ambulance is equipped with emergency drugs, oxygen delivery systems, life-saving equipment, medical consumables and other accessories required for pre-hospital emergency care.

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It added that the ambulances are expected to provide immediate medical intervention during patient transportation, improve emergency response and enhance access to quality healthcare across the state.

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In a related development, the Kwara State Government has reaffirmed its commitment to evidence-based interventions aimed at achieving Universal Health Coverage and reducing maternal and neonatal mortality.

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According to a statement issued on Thursday by the Press Secretary of the Ministry of Health, Saad Hamdalat, the Commissioner for Health, Dr Amina El-Imam, made the commitment during the State-Level Multiple Micronutrient Supplementation Costed Implementation Plan Development Workshop held in Ilorin.

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Represented by the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Dr Taoheed Abdullahi, the commissioner said the state had continued to record significant progress in maternal and child healthcare through investments in primary healthcare, immunisation, maternal health services, health insurance coverage and health system strengthening.

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“Thousands of pregnant women continue to access skilled birth attendance services across our health facilities, while the Kwara State Health Insurance Scheme has expanded access to essential maternal and child healthcare services,” she said.

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El-Imam, however, noted that maternal nutrition challenges and micronutrient deficiencies remained major concerns.

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“The introduction and scale-up of Multiple Micronutrient Supplementation are timely and necessary to improve maternal nutrition and pregnancy outcomes.

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“This workshop aligns with the National Roadmap for Multiple Micronutrient Supplementation (2025–2029), which seeks to ensure equitable access to MMS for every pregnant woman as part of routine antenatal care,” she said.

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Also speaking, the Executive Secretary of the KWSPHCDA, Prof. Elelu, represented by the State Nutrition Officer, Dr Bankole Olugbenga, said the workshop would produce a practical implementation plan for scaling up the programme across the state.

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“Over 14,423 Multiple Micronutrient Supplements were distributed during the recent Maternal, Newborn and Child Health Week, while 172,762 bottles have been supplied to Kwara State between 2021 and 2026,” she said.

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According to her, the workshop will ensure proper planning, budgeting and resource mobilisation for effective implementation of the programme.

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In her goodwill message, the Technical Specialist at Vitamin Angels, Dr Gloria Ode, commended the Kwara State Government for supporting the initiative.

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“Multiple Micronutrient Supplementation has proven effective in reducing maternal mortality, anaemia and low birth weight, and we are confident that its expansion will further improve maternal and newborn health outcomes in Kwara State,” she said.

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