NEMSAS/TASEMSAS Intensifies Rural awareness on SAVEMAMA-to Curb Maternal and Neonatal Mortality.
By Akpen Dennis.
The Nationl through the Taraba State Emergency Medical Services and Ambulance System (TASEMSAS) has intensified its sensitization and advocacy campaign across rural communities to strengthen the free emergency transportation service for pregnant women and newborns babies under its “SAVEMAMA” digital platform.
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Speaking during the event on Wednesday at Iware Ardokola LGA, the Head of Advocacy and Publicity, Tsintop Kwabche, explained the critical need for “SAVEMAMA” functionality under the RESMAT (Rural Emergency services maternal transport) in rural areas stating that the platform is designed to transport All obstetric (pregnant women) and neonatal emergencies to designated hospitals in each ward as there are designated trained emergency drivers to convey them free of charge and that obstetric emergencies cover any complication in pregnant women from one to nine months, while neonatal emergencies involve infants below 28 days, with both eligible for FREE transport.
The State Coordinator of TASEMSAS, Dr. Gabriel Uba Ahmed, while speaking, outlined the agency’s structure, services and activities stating that: NEMSAS operates at the National, TASEMSAS operates at the state level responding to broader emergencies across the LGAs in the state and covers free treatment for 48 hours in designated treatment facilities ONLY for the following conditions: Road traffic accident, gunshot injuries, snake bites victims, fire accident or burns, drowning, all weapons related injuries, and victims of communal clashes, although it transport all forms of emergencies to the hospitals free.
The SC futher clarified that the Rural Emergency Services and Maternal Transport (RESMAT) functions at the local government and ward levels and the SAVEMAMA platform is only for transportation of Pregnant women and newborns emergencies. While other emergency transport are covered by TASEMSAS through the NEMSAS connect platform.
Dr Ahmed, further disclosed that the sensitization campaign is targets is the reduction of maternal and Neonatal mortality some of which is caused by lack or delays in transportation. And that Ardokola is one of the 5 LGAs in Taraba State with high maternal and Neonatal mortality. Others are Gashaka, Lau, Ussa and Zing LGAs which are also designated as MAMII LGAs.
He detailed the operational procedure as thus: “each ward in these LGAs has a Community Emergency Transport Triage Officer (CEMTTO) whom Community members facing an emergency can call the CEMTTO who inturn further register the emergency on the SAVEMAMA platform by calling 3581 and a registered ETO (emergency transport officer) is dispatched to transport the patient free of charge to a designated healthcare facility for treatment.
Participants include wife of Ardokola LGA, CEMTTOS, ETOs, traditional rulers and pregnant women and the general public. Some participants at the event including wife of the Ardo-kola Local Government Chairman, praised and commended the initiative as timely, necessary and people’s centred.
One of the participant and CEMTTO of Iware ward, Mr Haruna E. Murktar, applauded TASEMSAS for bringing the scheme to their doorstep and encouraged the participants to create more awareness to ensure all residents benefit during critical situations.
A pregnant woman Mrs Grace Dominic said this is a needed help and services as transportation is a major issue for pregnant women especially during emergency situation.
The participants were introduced to the Nationl emergency number of 112 and the TASEMSAS call centre number on 07041122777 or 07041100777 to report any emergency.
