The Oyo State House of Assembly has called for the reinvigoration of the State Emergency and Ambulance Services (OYEAS) to address emergency medical situations promptly and safeguard the lives of people.
The call was contained in a Motion on the need to reinvigorate the Oyo State Emergency and Ambulance Services (OYES).
The motion read by Hon. M.O Abiola (Akinyele 1) was co-sponsored by Hon. R.G Saminu (Saki East/Atisbo) and Hon. S.A Onaolapo (Ogbomoso South) According to the motion, the inactive status of the dedicated emergency and ambulance service in OYO State poses a significant challenge to timely medical interventions.
It added that lives were being lost, families shattered, and communities disrupted due to the non functioning of the dedicated emergency and ambulance services.
The House resolved that OYEAS should be equipped with modern medical facilities, trained personnel, a fleet of ambulances strategically stationed across the state to ensure rapid response to emergencies and operate 24/7 while also providing emergency medical services to accident victims and all residents of OYO State, regardless of their location or socioeconomic status.
It further called for the creation of emergency ambulance service unit in all administrative zones in the State and the provision of adequate funding and resources to ensure the effective functioning of the OYEAS.
Other resolves include collaboration with existing healthcare facilities, law enforcement agencies, and other relevant stakeholders to streamline emergency response activities and ensure seamless coordination during crisis situations.Intensify public awareness campaigns to educate the populace about the importance of rendering timely help to accident victims and other people in emergency situations.
The motion read in part “That the Oyo to Ogbomoso and Ogbomoso to Ilorin roads have witnessed a disturbing increase in accidents over the past month. These accidents have resulted in loss of lives, severe injuries, and significant disruptions to traffic flow and economic activities. The absence of a dedicated emergency and ambulance service complicates the challenges faced by accident victims, leading to delays in medical attention and potentially preventable fatalities.”
Further notes that Oyo State, like many regions, faces emergencies that require swift and efficient responses. Timely medical attention during emergencies can significantly reduce morbidity and mortality rates.
“Aware that on Sunday, 14th April, 2024 least, 19 people lost their lives in a Road Traffic Crash along Oyo-Ogbomoso Road. According to the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) in their reports to the media. The crash which involved two vehicles, a Toyota Hiace bus loaded from Ibadan en route to Sokoto, and a Toyota Corolla saloon car had only one survival out of the twenty (20) male adults involved in the accident.”
Due to human errors and poor judgements, we may not be able to eliminate Road traffic accidents even if we have the best of roads but effort could be made to reduce lives being lost in accidents if spontaneous rescue operations or emergency rescue operations are in place.
“Further aware that almost two weeks later, a worrisome situation and a shocking tragedy occurred on Ogbomoso-Ilorin Road when an aged man believed to be in his sixties started having difficulty in breathing after the bus conveying him and other passengers broke down along the road. The situations became alarming when began to experience seizures. Passengers in their frenzies were putting out calls to get help and waving down cars and motorcycles all to no avail.”
“Unfortunately, no one was willing to, at least, stop to take the man to the hospital. According to reports, the seizures started around 3:22 pm and distressed calls were being made since then. The man’s condition deteriorated rapidly, as he waited for intervention which never arrived until he gave up the ghost around 6:21 pm.”
“Observes that the lives of the numbers of people that have been lost on our roads daily would have been saved if emergency response ambulances and medical team were stationed on strategic portion of our roads, specifically, on the highways. With about thirty-six thousand kilometers of federal roads spread across the country, only a few have emergency response systems.”
“The reality remains that, if the federal government is not putting needed system in place on its road to save lives of passengers, States whose indigenes are mostly on these roads and which these roads pass through should put a proactive and responsive system in place that would save the lives of their people.”
“Equally, during the 2023 general elections, Governor S’eyi Makinde led administration also deployed emergency lines and ambulance services to address unforeseen health circumstances during the election periods. Unfortunately, these ideas were responsive ones that addressed prevalent issues. What is now required is a well thought out and permanent Oyo State Emergency Ambulance Services with a specific unit under the ministry of Health.”
“Concerned that there are no hospitals built along our highways that could serve as safe havens for patients in times of accidents. Investors in medical systems must be encouraged and provided with necessary security to invest in these areas of need.”
Emergency services such as ambulances equipped with first aid kits, and hospitals located along highways and busy roads, are measures that can reduce the number of accident fatalities that we record on our roads. It’s time to address this critical issue and ensure the safety and well-being of our citizens.”