ABIA LAUNCHES EMERGENCY MATERNAL TRANSPORT SYSTEM TO SAVE MOTHERS, NEWBORNS

The Abia State Government has rolled out a Rural Emergency Services and Maternal Transport System aimed at reducing maternal and neonatal deaths across the state.

The initiative, unveiled by the Ministry of Health, is part of Governor Alex Otti’s commitment to improving healthcare delivery and safeguarding the lives of mothers and newborns.

Speaking at the launch, the Commissioner for Health, Prof. Enoch Ogbonnaya Uche, said the programme is designed to tackle delays in accessing skilled medical care—one of the major causes of maternal and infant mortality.

He explained that the government has already upgraded health facilities, recruited qualified personnel, and improved welfare packages to attract healthcare workers. The new transport system, he said, will further strengthen access by ensuring emergency response for pregnant women and newborns in critical conditions.

Prof. Uche identified Obingwa, Bende, and Ukwa East as high-risk areas and disclosed that ambulances have been strategically deployed to ensure patients can reach healthcare facilities within 25 to 30 minutes.

To support the system, trained emergency response officers have been integrated into the national emergency platform to ensure swift handling of distress calls and rapid ambulance deployment.

Addressing challenges in hard-to-reach areas, the Commissioner revealed plans to introduce tricycle ambulances and explore innovative solutions such as drone delivery of medical supplies, alongside ongoing improvements in rural road infrastructure.

He described the initiative as part of a broader strategy to eliminate preventable maternal and neonatal deaths, commending Governor Otti for prioritising people-centered healthcare.

The government also called on residents to support and take ownership of the programme to ensure its long-term success.

The launch event was attended by representatives of security agencies, health officials, and stakeholders from the benefiting local government areas.