The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate has said that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, approved the procurement of emergency care helicopter for handling healthcare emergencies

Pate said in statement that the Ministry has commenced negotiations with Europe’s leading Aerospace Corporation, Airbus, on the development of Nigeria’s new Integrated National Ground-To-Air Health Emergency Management System.

The statement said Pate met with Airbus executives, and used the opportunity to inspect an Airbus Emergency Care Helicopter at a French Government-supported Air Ambulance facility in Lyon, France, 

According to the minister, the initiative is part of the Federal Government’s broader health sector renewal investment drive targeted at improving emergency medical services nationwide.

He said, “In line with the health sector renewal investment initiative, we are expanding Nigeria’s public health infrastructure, as well as private sector capacity for medical care, including emergencies.

“The National Emergency Medical Services and Ambulance Scheme is being revamped with urban ambulances for cities and rural emergency systems. Now, we are looking at helicopter emergency medical services.”

 Onyebuchi Ezigbo