…Warns against rumour mongering

By Adesina Wahab

The National Association of Ogun State Students, NAOSS, has debunked the claim in some quarters that the state lacks functional medical emergency services, saying more ambulances have even been bought in the last few years.
In a statement endorsed by the National President, Aàrẹ Oluwafemi Ajayi, the association said it embarked on a fact-finding engagements with the Federal Ministry of Health, the Ogun State Emergency Medical Services and Ambulance System OGSEMSAS, and found out that those behind the claim did not do due diligence in knowing what is actually on ground.
“This engagement became necessary in view of the growing misinformation and public narratives suggesting that Ogun State lacks functional ambulance and emergency medical services. As a responsible student body committed to truth, public education, and life-saving advocacy, NAOSS National deems it important to clearly and accurately inform students, youths, and the general public on the realities of emergency healthcare delivery in Ogun State.
” Our findings confirm that Ogun State operates a well-structured and expanding emergency medical response system. The state currently deploys three categories of ambulances to ensure no community is left behind: Boat Ambulances for riverine and waterside communities; Tricycle Ambulances designed for emergencies in areas that are difficult for conventional vehicles to access, especially maternity and inner-community cases and Bus Ambulances for major road and inter-city emergencies.
” Importantly, every Local Government Area in Ogun State has at least one functional ambulance, stationed at the Local Government headquarters and operating 24 hours daily. This represents a major leap from over six years ago, when only six ambulances served four local governments and operated for limited hours.
NAOSS also commended the strong collaboration between state-owned emergency service providers in the state and others
” Ogun State’s emergency response framework, known as RESMAT, is a strategic initiative of the Ogun State Government in collaboration with the National Emergency Medical Services and Ambulance System (NEMSAS) at the federal level. To further strengthen service delivery, the state recently employed 50 new nurses dedicated to ambulance and emergency care services, ensuring professional medical attention from first response to hospital referral.
” Both government and accredited private hospitals actively participate in this system, with the Ogun State Government providing financial coverage for services rendered by private facilities when emergencies are referred to them.
The body also lauded the setting up of toll fee lifeline and emergency call centres.
” A major highlight of our engagement is the state emergency call centre, which is fully integrated with national emergency systems. The centre has real-time data on ambulance locations and hospital referral points and can automatically identify callers’ locations for faster response.
” In 2025 alone, the call centre recorded a 100% success rate in managing and responding to reported emergencies. The dedicated toll-free emergency line is: 08112000033. (Residents may also dial 112, the national emergency number.) Free Emergency Care and Wide Referral Network
Emergency victims who access care through the official emergency lines are entitled to free medical treatment within the first 48 hours. ” “This life-saving policy applies across the state’s referral network, which includes:
All General and Primary Health Care facilities
Specialist and Tertiary Hospitals. Federal Medical Centre (FMC). Babcock University Teaching Hospital. OOUTH, Redeemer’s Hospital, and other accredited private hospitals.
” One key challenge identified is low public awareness. Statements such as “there is no ambulance in Ogun State” discourage people from calling for help and can directly lead to avoidable loss of lives. Emergency services save lives only when they are used. NAOSS National therefore strongly encourages students, youths, and all residents to save and use the emergency number whenever the need arises. Prompt calls mean faster response, better care, and higher chances of survival.”