Policy on Emergency Medical Services (EMS) in Nigeria

A Policy establishes a coordinated system for emergency medical services in Nigeria, covering pre-hospital care and ambulance operations. It targets emergency personnel, hospitals, and state agencies to ensure timely and quality emergency response. This aims to reduce deaths and disabilities from medical emergencies.

What Is This Policy?

A policy framework for establishing and regulating a coordinated emergency medical services system in Nigeria, covering pre-hospital care, ambulance services, emergency departments, and disaster response.

Who Does It Target?

Emergency medical personnel including paramedics and emergency physicians Ambulance service operators (public and private) Hospitals with emergency departments Federal and state emergency management agencies

What Does It Aim to Achieve?

Reduce preventable deaths and disability from medical emergencies and trauma by establishing a functional emergency medical services system that ensures timely, quality pre-hospital and hospital-based emergency care.

Key Features

Pre-Hospital Care: Standards for first response, ambulance services, and patient stabilization before hospital arrival Emergency Number System: Framework for a national emergency call and dispatch system Ambulance Standards: Minimum equipment, staffing, and response time requirements for ambulance services Emergency Department Standards: Guidelines for hospital emergency units including triage, staffing, and equipment Training and Certification: Competency requirements for emergency medical technicians and paramedics

Current Status

Rollout Stage: Active with phased implementation across states Coverage: Federal and state levels, with significant variation in readiness Lead Agency: Federal Ministry of Health Partners: WHO, National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), state emergency agencies

How to Access

Emergency medical services are accessed through emergency calls and direct presentation at hospital emergency departments. Call the emergency number (112) where available Present at the nearest hospital emergency department for urgent care Private ambulance services operate in major cities

Official Resources

Website: health.gov.ng Contact: Federal Ministry of Health, Abuja

Legal Framework

Operates under the National Health Act 2014, the National Primary Health Care Development Agency Act, the Federal Road Safety Corps Establishment Act 2007, and the National Policy on Pre-hospital Care. Draws on WHO guidelines on emergency medical services, the International Committee of the Red Cross first aid standards, and international EMS accreditation frameworks.