In an effort to bolster healthcare accessibility, Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq has officially unveiled 16 Toyota ambulances for primary healthcare centers (PHCs) across the state. These ambulances, purchased by local government authorities, mark a significant step towards fortifying the health emergency response system at the grassroots level.
During the presentation ceremony, Governor AbdulRazaq emphasized the government’s unwavering commitment to improving healthcare delivery. “This is the initiative of the local government areas. It is their money. It is basically to support the health services, especially the primary healthcare centers,” he stated.
The move was lauded by stakeholders such as Chairman of the Association of Local Government of Nigeria (ALGON) Kwara State branch, Hon. Jide Ashonibare, who described it as a game-changer for healthcare services in rural areas. “Just like the Executive Governor of the state has said, in most of our health clinics in all the local governments there aren’t vehicles that can be used in case of wanting to carry patients during an emergency to where proper medical treatment can be given to them. But with this now, the challenge is over, and it can get better,” Ashonibare expressed.
Dr. Amina Ahmed el-Imam, the Commissioner for Health, highlighted the alignment of this initiative with the administration’s goal of providing quality healthcare to all citizens. “The presence of one functional standard ambulance in every local government of Kwara state is no mean feat, while more will definitely be done to strengthen healthcare delivery,” she affirmed.
This development comes in tandem with ongoing efforts by the state government to renovate healthcare facilities and enhance manpower within the sector, ensuring that even the most underserved communities have access to timely medical assistance during emergencies.
