To strengthen emergency healthcare services, the Lagos State Government on Friday
officially commissioned ten new pre-fabricated ambulance points under the Lagos
State Ambulance Service (LASAMBUS).
The ambulance points located at Agege, Agbowa, Masha
(Surulere), Badagry, Mile 2, Epe, Shomolu, Igando, Iba, and Ibeju-Lekki areas
of the State initiative, under
the initiative led by the Ministry of Health.
The
LASAMBUS programme is designed to improve pre-hospital
care and emergency response times across communities.
The commissioning ceremony took place at
the LASAMBUS Point in Agege, one of the newly established locations, and was
performed by Dr. (Mrs.) Kemi Ogunyemi, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Health.
The event also had in attendance top government officials, including the
Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Ministry of Health, Dr. Olusegun Ogboye, and
representatives from the contractor, Hamibra Integrated Nigeria Ltd.
Dr. Ogunyemi, in her keynote address,
described the initiative as a landmark step toward the realisation of
the Babajide Sanwo-Olu administration’s THEMES+ agenda, particularly in
delivering timely and quality emergency healthcare to Lagosians. “These new
ambulance points represent not just infrastructure, but hope and access to
lifesaving care,” she said.
She noted that the structures were
strategically placed in Agege, Agbowa, Masha (Surulere), Badagry, Mile 2, Epe,
Shomolu, Igando, Iba, and Ibeju-Lekki to ensure broader and faster emergency
medical coverage. “By locating ambulances closer to the people, we can
significantly cut down on the time it takes to get medical help in critical
situations,” she emphasised.
Dr. Ogunyemi praised the collaborative
spirit that brought the project to fruition, singling out the contractor, Mr.
Sulaiman Hammed, for what she called “professional dedication beyond contractual
obligations.” She also acknowledged Mr. Moshood Akintayo, a beneficiary of
LASAMBUS services, for voluntarily beautifying the Agege ambulance point with
his personal resources.
Reaffirming the government’s commitment,
she declared: “We are not just launching facilities today, we are reinforcing
our promise to save lives, support frontline responders, and build a healthier,
safer Lagos for all.”
In his welcome remarks, Ministry of Health,
Dr. Olusegun Ogboye, the Permanent Secretary, shared his deep personal passion
for emergency services and highlighted LASAMBUS as a cause he has championed
throughout his tenure. “This is not just another ribbon-cutting ceremony,” he
said. “It’s a signpost of progress, a culmination of years of planning and passionate
work.”
Dr. Ogboye explained that the ten new
points are part of a larger blueprint to upgrade and establish more
strategically located points on the roads, ambulance bases in hospitals,
forward-operating posts in local government areas, and trauma centres across
Lagos. He cited already functional trauma centres in Epe and Tollgate, and
ongoing works at MCC Eti-Osa and proposed new centres in other locations.
“We’re building more than structures; we’re
building systems. From infrastructure to communication upgrades, every piece fit
into a larger vision of seamless, responsive emergency medical service
delivery,” Ogboye stated, adding that plans are underway to expand beyond these
ten points.
He commended the LASAMBUS team for their
dedication and resilience, noting that the addition of new points will
naturally increase their workload. “Even as we celebrate today, we acknowledge
the increased demands on our responders. Your sacrifice doesn’t go unnoticed,”
he assured.
Dr. Ogboye also recognised the
valuable contributions of the community, citing Mr. Moshood Akintayo’s gesture
as “the highest form of civic partnership any government agency could ask for.”
He urged others to emulate such community ownership of public assets.
Sulaiman Hammed, MD/CEO of Hamibra Integrated Nigeria Ltd, presented a project brief, explaining the evolution of the prefabricated model from earlier versions that were vulnerable to environmental damage and unrest. “This new model is fortified, mobile, and designed to stand for over 50 years,” he declared proudly.
He revealed that the structure includes an
ambulance personnel station equipped with executive furniture, anti-burglar
German steel panels, and hybrid plasma cooling for staff comfort. Hammed added that
the ambulance hangar is reinforced with top-grade steel and built to
accommodate modern ambulances securely and effectively.
According to Hammed, the modular structures
are not only transferable but also cost-effective in the long term. He
expressed gratitude to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu for supporting innovation and
to the Special Adviser and Permanent Secretary for their leadership and trust
in local contractors.
Representing LASAMBUS, Mrs. Rasheedat Saka,
Deputy Director of Nursing, applauded the commissioning as a game-changer for
pre-hospital care delivery. “These new points drastically improve our comfort,
readiness, and response times. So with this in place, we are ready to respond
come sun or rain,” she noted.
Mrs. Saka appreciated the Ministry for
responding to the needs of ambulance personnel, citing training and continuous
capacity-building efforts as crucial elements that enable LASAMBUS responders
to remain competent and effective in emergencies.
She reminded Lagosians of the availability
of emergency toll-free numbers 767 and 112, urging citizens to call either
number during emergencies to receive prompt assistance from trained LASAMBUS
professionals.
A highlight of the ceremony was the moving
testimony by Mr. Moshood Akintayo, a direct beneficiary of LASAMBUS
intervention. He recalled how the service saved his life during an accident
earlier this year. “They showed up fast, treated me on-site, and transported me
to the hospital, all at no cost,” he shared emotionally.
In appreciation, Mr. Akintayo took it upon himself to paint the perimeter wall around the newly constructed LASAMBUS Point in Agege. “This is my small way of giving back. LASAMBUS gave me a second chance at life,” he said, drawing a warm applause from attendees.
Today’s commissioning brings the total
number of newly pre-fabricated LASAMBUS Points to 16, following six previously
launched stations a year ago. With Governor Sanwo-Olu’s continued support, the
State aims to extend the reach of these points to all local government areas.
By reinforcing infrastructure, upskilling
personnel, and engaging communities, the Lagos State Government has
demonstrated a forward-thinking approach to emergency healthcare. The new
LASAMBUS Points represent both immediate impact and long-term investment in
public health resilience.
