The Federal Government of Nigeria is preparing to implement a new initiative called Rural Emergency Service and Maternal Transportation (RESMAT) aimed at reducing maternal and child mortality rates.

Dr. Saidu Dumbulwa, the National Programme Officer for the National Emergency Medical Services and Ambulance System (NEMSAS), made this announcement during a stakeholders’ meeting held in Abuja with the theme “Addressing the Abysmal Maternal Mortality Indices Through Rural Emergency Medical Services.”

Dr. Dumbulwa highlighted that in Nigeria, there are approximately nine million pregnancies each year, with around nine percent of them developing complications, particularly in rural areas. He emphasized that transportation delays contribute significantly to maternal mortality rates.

Nigeria currently has a high Maternal Mortality Rate (MMR) of 576 per 100,000 live births, according to the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF). Additionally, the country has an under-five mortality rate (U5MR) of 95 per 1,000 live births, accounting for 10 percent of global under-five deaths.

Dr. Dumbulwa explained that the Nigerian health sector renewal investment program, implemented through the sector-wide approach program, has prioritized rural ambulance services and maternal transportation. This focus recognizes that pre-hospital and emergency care in rural and hard-to-reach areas can play a crucial role in addressing the burden of disease and reducing maternal deaths in Nigeria.