The UNICEF has delivered six emergency medical boats to the Bayelsa State Government to enhance healthcare and emergency response capabilities in remote riverine communities.
Financed by the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunisation, these boats come equipped with medical facilities and are operated by healthcare professionals.
UNICEF’s Nigeria Country Representative, Cristian Munduate, highlighted that the boats will offer rapid and efficient emergency medical aid, transport patients – including expectant mothers and infants – to medical centers, and support vaccination outreach initiatives.
Munduate mentioned , “With nearly 100 out of every 1000 children not surviving to see their fifth birthday, infant mortality at 70 per 1000 births, 32 per cent of pregnant women not receiving antenatal care and only about 40 per cent of babies delivered in health facilities in Bayelsa State, the ambulance boats are timely to improve survival rates for women and children.
“The provision of these ambulance boats represents a critical step towards ensuring that even the most remote communities have access to lifesaving healthcare services.
“These boats will not only serve as a means of transportation for patients but also function as platforms for delivering essential healthcare interventions, such as immunisation, antenatal care, and health education, directly to those in need”.
She elaborated ,that the initiative is an important step in their ongoing efforts to safeguard the lives of our mothers, children, and vulnerable populations across the state.
Expressing joy over the donation, Munduate emphasized, “We are deeply grateful for the donation of these six ambulance boats, which bring hope to the riverine communities.
“These boats will not only ensure timely medical interventions but also fortify our resolve to provide equitable healthcare services, irrespective of geographical barriers.”
Also speaking, the state Deputy Governor, Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, said, “Together, we are navigating towards a brighter, healthier future for every citizen.
This effort, as reported by Wakadaily, aligns with the objectives outlined by the Federal Ministry of Health in the Nigeria Health Renewal Investment Initiative. The core focus is to enhance the fairness and effectiveness of the healthcare system, decrease the percentage of unvaccinated children, and boost immunization rates.
The provision of the ambulance boats is part of the comprehensive strategy outlined in the recent Memorandum of Understanding inked in 2022 involving the Bayelsa State Government, the Federal Ministry of Health, the Nigeria Governors Forum, GAVI, and UNICEF.
This collaborative agreement aims to enhance routine immunization services and primary healthcare infrastructure, ultimately working towards diminishing mortality rates, especially within vulnerable groups like women and children.
