By Samuel Oyadongha, Yenagoa

The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has handed over four fully-equipped ambulance boats to the Bayelsa State government to enhance healthcare and emergency response services in remote communities within the predominantly riverine state. Alongside the boats, UNICEF also donated a 30kVA soundproof generator to the Bayelsa State Primary Healthcare Board to boost operational efficiency.

The ambulance boats, funded by the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunisation (GAVI), are outfitted with critical medical amenities designed to facilitate emergency medical care and patient transport in hard-to-reach areas.

During the handover ceremony held at the Government Jetty, Ministry of Transport, the Chief of Field, UNICEF Nigeria Office, Ms. Judith Leveillee, highlighted the importance of the donation. She noted that the boats are intended to provide swift and effective emergency medical assistance, enabling the transport of patients, including pregnant women and newborns, to medical facilities. The boats will also support immunisation outreach programs in isolated communities.

“The provision of these ambulance boats represents a critical step towards ensuring that even the most remote communities have access to lifesaving healthcare services,” Leveillee stated. She added that the boats would serve not only as transportation for patients but also as mobile platforms for delivering essential healthcare interventions, including immunizations, antenatal care, and health education directly to those in need.

Reflecting on the event, Leveillee remarked, “I believe the rain and lightning during today’s event inspire us to navigate the creeks and bring healthcare to the vulnerable and less privileged.”

She expressed gratitude to GAVI, WHO, and all health workers involved in the project, commending their efforts in improving healthcare delivery in Bayelsa. According to her, the project has employed 800 to 900 health workers, and she urged the Bayelsa State government to integrate this workforce to maintain the progress achieved so far.

“We are also handing over a generator to ensure the boat house is fully operational,” she said, reaffirming UNICEF’s commitment to supporting the state’s healthcare initiatives.

Receiving the items on behalf of the state government, the Commissioner for Health, Prof. Seiyefa Brisibe, expressed gratitude to UNICEF and its partners, describing the gesture as lifesaving.

“For us as a state, we believe no mother or child should die from preventable complications,” Brisibe said. “Public health should not lead to any mortality in our society. This is the foundation upon which we work, and with partners like WHO and UNICEF, we are achieving tangible results.”

He assured that the ambulance boats would be put to effective use to promptly evacuate mothers and children in need of urgent medical attention.

In his welcome address, the Executive Secretary of the Bayelsa Primary Healthcare Board, Dr. Appah Williams, revealed that UNICEF and GAVI had previously donated six ambulance boats under the Health Systems Strengthening (HSS) Memorandum of Understanding (MOU).

The event marked another step forward in bridging the healthcare gap in rural Bayelsa communities, with stakeholders pledging continued collaboration to enhance health services across the state.