April 07, (THEWILL) — The Federal Government has taken a major step toward transforming emergency healthcare delivery in Nigeria, commencing negotiations with European aerospace giant, Airbus, for the procurement of emergency care helicopters under the proposed National Medical Emergency Management System (NEMSAS).
The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Muhammad Pate, disclosed this during a working visit to France, following approval by President Bola Tinubu.
According to a statement issued on Monday by the NEMSAS office, discussions with Airbus executives focused on establishing an Integrated National Ground-to-Air Health Emergency Management System aimed at strengthening rapid response and emergency care delivery across the country.
Pate explained that the initiative would significantly improve medical evacuation services, particularly in remote and underserved areas where access to timely healthcare has remained a major challenge. He added that the system would enhance coordination between ground ambulance services and air emergency response units, ensuring a seamless and efficient rescue operation nationwide.
On the sidelines of the engagement, the minister inspected an Airbus emergency care helicopter at a French government-supported air ambulance facility in Lyon, gaining first-hand insight into the advanced capabilities of modern aeromedical systems.
He noted that the proposed NEMSAS framework would integrate ambulance services, emergency communication systems, and aeromedical evacuation into a unified national structure designed to reduce preventable deaths.
“The Federal Government is committed to strengthening emergency preparedness and response as part of broader health sector reforms under the current administration”, Pate stated.
Nigeria has long struggled with gaps in emergency medical response, including inadequate ambulance services, weak coordination, and delays in patient referrals between healthcare facilities.
These challenges have contributed to avoidable deaths arising from road traffic accidents, maternal emergencies, and other critical health conditions requiring urgent intervention.
However, the ongoing engagement with Airbus marks a significant response to growing calls by stakeholders for a coordinated national emergency medical system, including air ambulance services, to bridge access gaps, especially in rural communities.
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